Find out how popular the last name Gobena is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gobena.

Gobena, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gobena surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gobena in America

Gobena is the 126765th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gobena surname appeared 135 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gobena.

The history of the last name Gobena

The surname GOBENA is believed to have originated in Ethiopia during the 16th century. It is derived from the Amharic word "goba," which means "river" or "stream." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who lived near a river or stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname GOBENA can be found in the chronicles of the Ethiopian Empire, where it is mentioned in reference to a nobleman and military leader named Gobena Habtemariam, who served during the reign of Emperor Fasilides in the mid-17th century.

In the 18th century, the GOBENA surname appears in several historical documents related to the Oromo people of Ethiopia. It is believed that during this period, some Oromos adopted the name GOBENA as a way to assimilate into the dominant Amhara culture.

A notable figure bearing the GOBENA surname was Gobena Dache, a prominent scholar and writer who lived in the late 19th century. He is best known for his works on Ethiopian history and culture, including his seminal book "Ye Ityopya Tarik" (History of Ethiopia).

Another individual of significance was Gobena Gebre, a renowned poet and playwright from the early 20th century. His works, such as "Tewodros" and "Kebede Mikael," explored themes of Ethiopian identity and resistance against colonial powers.

In the realm of politics, Gobena Dalle was a prominent figure in the 20th century. He served as a member of the Ethiopian Parliament and was a vocal advocate for democratic reforms and human rights.

The GOBENA surname has also been associated with various place names in Ethiopia, particularly in regions where the Amharic language is spoken. For example, there is a town called Gobena in the Oromia Region, which may have derived its name from the surname or vice versa.

While the surname GOBENA is most commonly found in Ethiopia, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its roots can be firmly traced back to the rich cultural heritage of the Ethiopian people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gobena

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gobena.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gobena was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Gobena was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gobena, please contact us.

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