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

Kaluna, 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 Kaluna surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kaluna in America

Kaluna is the 113155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kaluna surname appeared 155 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 Kaluna.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kaluna 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 Kaluna

The surname Kaluna has its origins in the Philippines, with its earliest known instances dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Visayan word "kaluna," which translates to "turtle" or "tortoise," suggesting a connection to these reptiles or their symbolic significance in the region's indigenous cultures.

In the early Spanish colonial era, when surnames were being recorded for administrative purposes, many Filipinos adopted names derived from their native languages, often reflecting aspects of their local environment or cultural traditions. The name Kaluna likely emerged as a result of this practice, with its roots firmly embedded in the linguistic heritage of the Visayan Islands.

Historical records from the Spanish colonial period, such as parish registers and census documents, provide some of the earliest written accounts of the Kaluna surname. While no specific mention of the name has been found in notable historical manuscripts, its presence in these colonial-era records attests to its longevity and connection to the Philippines' rich cultural tapestry.

Among the earliest recorded individuals bearing the Kaluna surname was Juan Kaluna, born in 1685 in the town of Cebu, Philippines. Another notable figure was Maria Kaluna, a respected healer and midwife who lived in the late 17th century and was renowned for her extensive knowledge of traditional medicine.

During the 19th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Domingo Kaluna (1824-1897), a prominent figure in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. His involvement in the resistance movement and his commitment to the cause of independence earned him a place in the annals of Philippine history.

Another notable individual was Alejandro Kaluna (1865-1932), a renowned writer and poet whose works celebrated the beauty of the Philippine landscape and the resilience of its people. His poetry collections, such as "Mga Tula ng Bundok" (Poems of the Mountain), are still widely studied and appreciated today.

In more recent times, the name Kaluna has been carried forward by individuals such as Maria Luisa Kaluna (1920-2005), a revered educator who dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for underprivileged children in rural areas of the Philippines.

While the surname Kaluna may not be as widespread as some other Filipino names, its enduring presence over the centuries serves as a testament to the rich cultural diversity and linguistic heritage of the Philippine archipelago.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kaluna

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

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

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

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