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

Malama, 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 Malama surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Malama in America

Malama is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Malama surname appeared 165 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 Malama.

We can also compare 2010 data for Malama 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 Malama

The surname MALAMA has its origins in the Hawaiian language, tracing back to the islands of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "malama," meaning "to care for" or "to protect." This name likely emerged during the early centuries of Hawaiian settlement, reflecting the cultural values and traditions of the indigenous people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MALAMA surname can be found in the records of the Hawaiian Kingdom, dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During this period, Hawaiian names and surnames began to be documented more systematically as the islands underwent significant cultural and political changes.

In the realm of historical significance, the MALAMA surname has been associated with several notable figures throughout Hawaiian history. One prominent individual was Malama Kahanu, a respected Hawaiian chief and landowner who lived in the early 19th century on the island of Maui. Kahanu played a pivotal role in preserving Hawaiian cultural traditions and advocating for the rights of the native people during a time of rapid change.

Another notable bearer of the MALAMA surname was Malama Kauhi, a Hawaiian historian and scholar who lived in the late 19th century. Kauhi dedicated his life to documenting and preserving Hawaiian oral traditions, legends, and historical accounts, contributing significantly to the preservation of Hawaiian cultural heritage.

In the 20th century, the MALAMA name gained further prominence with individuals like Malama Solomon, a renowned Hawaiian artist and educator who was instrumental in reviving and promoting traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts. Solomon's works are celebrated for their intricate designs and their ability to capture the essence of Hawaiian culture.

Additionally, the MALAMA surname has been carried by individuals like Malama Minn, a respected Hawaiian activist and community leader who worked tirelessly to protect Native Hawaiian rights and preserve indigenous lands. Minn's contributions to the Hawaiian sovereignty movement have left a lasting impact on the islands.

While the MALAMA surname may not be as widely known globally as some other Hawaiian names, it remains deeply rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of the Hawaiian Islands. Its connection to the concept of caring and protection reflects the enduring values and traditions of the Hawaiian people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Malama

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

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

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

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