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

Kalua, 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 Kalua surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kalua in America

Kalua is the 59324th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kalua surname appeared 341 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 Kalua.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kalua 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 Kalua

The surname KALUA has its origins in the Hawaiian language, tracing back to the island chain's ancient Polynesian roots. This name emerged during the early periods of Hawaiian settlement, potentially derived from the Hawaiian word "kalua," which translates to "to bake in an underground oven." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with families or individuals involved in traditional Hawaiian cooking methods or related cultural practices.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KALUA surname can be found in the accounts of early European explorers and missionaries who visited the Hawaiian Islands in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These historical documents often mentioned prominent Hawaiian chiefs, advisors, and community leaders, some of whom likely carried the KALUA surname or variations of it.

The KALUA name has been linked to several notable figures throughout Hawaiian history. One such individual was Kalua Kahili, a revered kahuna (priest) and advisor to King Kamehameha I, who played a crucial role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands in the early 19th century. Another prominent figure was Kalua Puʻu, a skilled navigator and wayfinder who helped guide voyaging canoes across the vast Pacific Ocean during the era of Polynesian exploration and settlement.

In the realm of Hawaiian culture and tradition, the KALUA surname has been associated with certain place names and locations. For instance, the Kaluanui area on the island of Oahu is believed to have derived its name from the presence of an underground oven or "kalua" used for cooking. Similarly, the Kaluahole region on the island of Maui may have ties to the KALUA name and its potential connection to traditional Hawaiian cooking practices.

Several other individuals bearing the KALUA surname have left their mark on Hawaiian history and culture. Kalua Makakoa was a skilled warrior and advisor to King Kamehameha II in the early 19th century, while Kalua Kekuanaoa was a prominent member of the Hawaiian nobility and a trusted advisor to King Kamehameha III during the mid-1800s. Additionally, Kalua Kalanikumui was a renowned hula master and chanter who played a pivotal role in preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian cultural traditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kalua

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

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

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

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