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

Kanoa, 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 Kanoa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kanoa in America

Kanoa is the 85049th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kanoa surname appeared 220 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 Kanoa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kanoa 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 Kanoa

The surname KANOA has its origins in Hawaii. It is believed to have emerged during the 17th century or earlier. The name is derived from the Hawaiian language and is thought to be a combination of the words "kalo" (meaning taro) and "noa" (meaning free or common).

The KANOA surname was likely initially given to individuals who were farmers or cultivators of taro, a staple crop in Hawaiian culture. Some linguistic experts suggest that the name may also have connections to the concept of freedom or being unrestricted, reflecting the free-spirited nature of the Hawaiian people.

Among the earliest recorded references to the KANOA surname are found in genealogical records and land deeds from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These documents provide insights into the lives of KANOA families who were landowners, farmers, and influential members of their communities.

One notable figure bearing the KANOA surname was Keiki KANOA, a respected Hawaiian chieftain who lived in the late 18th century. Keiki KANOA played a crucial role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands under the rule of King Kamehameha I.

Another prominent individual was Kauai KANOA, a skilled navigator and voyager who led expeditions across the Pacific Ocean in the early 19th century. His knowledge of celestial navigation and traditional wayfinding techniques helped maintain cultural connections between Hawaii and other Polynesian islands.

In the late 19th century, Henry KANOA was a prominent businessman and landowner on the island of Oahu. He was involved in the sugar industry and played a role in the economic development of the islands during the Hawaiian monarchy period.

During the early 20th century, Mary KANOA was a renowned hula teacher and cultural practitioner who worked tirelessly to preserve and perpetuate traditional Hawaiian dance and chant. Her contributions helped ensure the survival of these art forms for future generations.

Another notable figure was John KANOA, a respected educator and advocate for Hawaiian language and culture in the mid-20th century. He played a pivotal role in the Hawaiian Renaissance movement, which aimed to revitalize and promote indigenous Hawaiian traditions and values.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kanoa

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

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

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

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