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

Kamaka, 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 Kamaka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kamaka in America

Kamaka is the 49636th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kamaka surname appeared 423 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 Kamaka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kamaka 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 Kamaka

The surname KAMAKA has its origins in the Hawaiian language, deriving from the word 'kamaka', which translates to 'the one from the district'. It is believed to have emerged as a family name in the late 18th century, during the reign of the Hawaiian monarch Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.

KAMAKA is a name that is deeply rooted in the Hawaiian culture and geography. It is believed that the earliest bearers of this surname hailed from the district of Kamaka, located on the island of Maui. This region, known for its lush valleys and fertile lands, was likely the ancestral home of the first families to bear the KAMAKA name.

Historical records from the early 19th century indicate that the KAMAKA name gained prominence during the reign of Kamehameha III, who ruled the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1825 to 1854. One notable figure from this era was Kamaka Helu, a prominent chief and advisor to the monarch, who played a crucial role in the governance of the islands.

As the Hawaiian Islands became more integrated with the Western world in the 19th century, the KAMAKA name began to spread beyond its traditional homeland. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in English-language documents is found in the diary of John Ledyard, an American explorer who visited the islands in 1786 and mentioned a chief named Kamaka.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the KAMAKA surname. One such figure was Samuel Kaili Kamaka (1878-1952), a celebrated Hawaiian musician and instrument maker, renowned for his contributions to the development of the Hawaiian ukulele. Another prominent KAMAKA was Ivy Akino Kamaka (1896-1978), a revered educator and community leader who played a pivotal role in promoting Hawaiian language and culture.

In the realm of sports, the KAMAKA name has also left its mark. Alvin Kamaka (1909-1972) was a renowned Hawaiian surfer and waterman, known for his pioneering role in the development of modern surfing techniques. More recently, Kamaka Hepa (born 1999) has gained recognition as a standout basketball player, representing the University of Texas at Austin and the Hawaiian national team.

While the KAMAKA surname has its roots in the Hawaiian culture, it has since spread around the globe, carried by those of Hawaiian descent and embraced by individuals from diverse backgrounds. Throughout its history, the name has been a source of pride and a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Hawaiian people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kamaka

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

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

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

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