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

Karamoko, 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 Karamoko surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Karamoko in America

Karamoko is the 136449th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Karamoko surname appeared 123 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 Karamoko.

The history of the last name Karamoko

The surname KARAMOKO originated in West Africa, primarily in Mali and Guinea. It has its roots in the Mandinka language and is believed to have emerged in the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the words "karama" meaning "power" or "strength" and "ko" meaning "person." It was initially given to individuals who exhibited exceptional physical prowess or held positions of authority within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KARAMOKO surname dates back to the 15th century, when a prominent figure named Karamoko Kuyateh was mentioned in oral histories and folklore as a renowned warrior and leader in the Mali Empire. Another notable individual was Karamoko Alfa, a highly respected Islamic scholar and teacher who lived in the 18th century and was renowned for his expertise in the Qur'an and Islamic law.

During the 19th century, the KARAMOKO surname gained prominence in the region due to the rise of the Soninke people, a Mandinka-speaking ethnic group known for their involvement in long-distance trade and Islamic scholarship. The name appeared in several historical documents and records from this period, including correspondence between local rulers and European explorers.

In the early 20th century, Karamoko Gassama, a revered Sufi leader and healer from Senegal, gained widespread recognition for his spiritual teachings and influence. His legacy contributed to the further spread of the KARAMOKO surname across West Africa.

Another prominent figure with the KARAMOKO surname was Karamoko Samake (1910-1988), a Malian writer, poet, and journalist who played a significant role in the promotion of Mandinka literature and culture. His works, including the novel "Le Maître d'école" (The Schoolmaster), gained critical acclaim and helped preserve the rich oral traditions of his people.

More recently, Karamoko Dembele (1924-2008), a renowned Burkinabe diplomat and politician, held various high-ranking positions in his country's government, including serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and as the President of the National Assembly.

While these examples highlight the historical significance and prevalence of the KARAMOKO surname in West Africa, it's important to note that the name has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Karamoko

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

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 Karamoko 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.

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

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

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