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

Keala, 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 Keala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Keala in America

Keala is the 138304th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Keala surname appeared 121 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 Keala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Keala 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 Keala

The surname Keala has its origins in the Hawaiian language, deriving from the word "keala," which means "path" or "road." This name likely emerged in the Hawaiian Islands during the pre-colonial era, indicating a connection to a specific location or landmark associated with a path or road.

Historically, Hawaiian surnames were often descriptive, reflecting physical characteristics, occupations, or geographical references. The name Keala may have been initially adopted by individuals or families living near a significant path or road, or perhaps those involved in the construction or maintenance of these routes.

While written records from ancient Hawaiian history are scarce, the earliest known references to the name Keala can be traced back to the late 18th century, around the time of the first European explorers' arrival in the Hawaiian Islands. Some notable individuals bearing this surname include:

1. Keala Kānekapōliku (c. 1750-1825), a Hawaiian high chief and courtier during the reign of King Kamehameha I.
2. Keala Kaluahinenui (c. 1790-1865), a celebrated Hawaiian orator and chanter, known for preserving and transmitting traditional Hawaiian oral traditions.
3. Keala Keomailani (1871-1949), a Hawaiian historian and genealogist, renowned for her extensive knowledge of Hawaiian lineages and traditions.
4. Keala Naluwaikalani (1902-1987), a Hawaiian educator and advocate for the preservation of the Hawaiian language and culture.
5. Keala Kāneakua (1925-2001), a renowned Hawaiian musician and composer, credited with popularizing traditional Hawaiian music in the modern era.

It is worth noting that the name Keala may have evolved from or been influenced by various place names or geographical features in the Hawaiian Islands. For instance, the word "keala" can be found in the names of certain valleys, ridges, or trails, further solidifying the connection between this surname and the Hawaiian landscape.

While the surname Keala is not among the most common Hawaiian surnames today, it continues to hold significant cultural and historical significance, serving as a reminder of the rich linguistic heritage and deep-rooted connection to the land that characterizes the Hawaiian people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Keala

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

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

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

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