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

Kahawai, 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 Kahawai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kahawai in America

Kahawai is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kahawai surname appeared 122 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 Kahawai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kahawai to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kahawai

The surname "KAHAWAI" is believed to have originated from the Maori language of New Zealand. It is likely derived from the Maori word "kahawai," which refers to a type of fish found in the coastal waters of New Zealand, the Australian salmon or sea trout.

This surname is believed to have emerged during the early colonial period in New Zealand, when Maori individuals began adopting European-style surnames. The name may have been adopted by individuals or families who had a connection to fishing or lived in coastal areas where the kahawai fish was prevalent.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "KAHAWAI" can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Zealand. One notable person with this surname was Tame Kahawai, a Maori leader and activist who lived from 1865 to 1939. He was a prominent figure in the fight for Maori land rights and the preservation of Maori culture.

Another notable figure with the surname "KAHAWAI" was Rangi Kahawai, a Maori artist and carver who lived from 1932 to 2010. He was renowned for his intricate wood carvings and his contributions to the revival of traditional Maori art forms.

In the early 20th century, the name "KAHAWAI" also appeared in historical records related to the Maori Battalion, a military unit composed of Maori soldiers who fought in World War II. Several individuals with this surname were part of this battalion and served in various campaigns across Europe and North Africa.

Additionally, the surname "KAHAWAI" has been associated with various place names in New Zealand, particularly those related to coastal areas or bodies of water where the kahawai fish was found. For example, there is a small settlement called Kahawai near the Bay of Islands in the Northland region of New Zealand.

While not as widespread as some other Maori surnames, the name "KAHAWAI" remains an important part of New Zealand's cultural and historical heritage, reflecting the deep connection between the Maori people and the natural resources of their land and seas.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kahawai

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

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 Kahawai 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kahawai has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Kahawai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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