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

Keita, 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 Keita surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Keita in America

Keita is the 18296th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Keita surname appeared 1,517 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Keita.

We can also compare 2010 data for Keita 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 Keita

The surname Keita has its origins in the West African nation of Mali. It is believed to have emerged during the 13th century, when the Mali Empire was at its peak. The name is derived from the Mandinka word "keita," which means "warrior" or "conqueror."

The Keita surname was initially associated with the ruling dynasty of the Mali Empire, which was founded by Sundiata Keita in the early 13th century. Sundiata Keita (c. 1217-1260) was a legendary figure who united the Mandinka people and established the Mali Empire as a major power in West Africa.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Keita surname can be found in the Epic of Sundiata, a celebrated oral tradition that recounts the life and exploits of Sundiata Keita. This epic, which has been passed down through generations of griots (West African storytellers), is considered a significant cultural and literary work in West Africa.

As the Mali Empire expanded and flourished, the Keita surname became more widespread, particularly among the nobility and ruling classes. During this period, the name was often associated with military prowess, leadership, and political power.

Another notable figure with the Keita surname was Mansa Musa I (c. 1280-1337), the ninth Mansa (emperor) of the Mali Empire. Mansa Musa I is renowned for his wealth, his patronage of learning and architecture, and his famous pilgrimage to Mecca, during which he reportedly distributed vast amounts of gold along the way, leaving a lasting impact on the economies of the regions he passed through.

In the 14th century, the Keita surname appeared in the Tarikh al-Fattash, a chronicle written by the Malian scholar and traveler Mahmud Kati. This work provides valuable insights into the history and culture of the Mali Empire and mentions several prominent Keita individuals.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, as the Mali Empire declined and smaller kingdoms emerged in the region, the Keita surname remained influential. Famously, the Keita family played a significant role in the Songhay Empire, which rose to prominence in the latter part of this period.

Askia Muhammad I (c. 1443-1538), the founder and first ruler of the Songhay Empire, was a member of the Keita clan. He was a renowned military leader who consolidated power across much of West Africa and is remembered for his efforts to promote Islam and education in the region.

Throughout the centuries, the Keita surname has continued to be associated with notable figures in various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts. However, it is important to note that the surname's historical significance is primarily rooted in its connection to the ancient empires and dynasties of West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Keita

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

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

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

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