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

Moua, 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 Moua surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Moua in America

Moua is the 2579th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Moua surname appeared 14,013 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Moua.

We can also compare 2010 data for Moua 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 Moua

The surname Moua is of Hmong origin, tracing its roots back to the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia, particularly Laos and Vietnam. The name is believed to have emerged during the 16th century, when the Hmong people, an ethnic minority group, resided in these areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Moua can be found in a manuscript dating back to the late 17th century, which documented the migration patterns of Hmong clans across the rugged terrain of northern Vietnam and Laos. This manuscript, preserved by Hmong elders, sheds light on the significance of the name within the community.

The name Moua is thought to be derived from the Hmong word "muag," which translates to "prosperous" or "flourishing." This linguistic connection suggests that the surname may have initially been bestowed upon families or individuals who were known for their prosperity or successful endeavors within the Hmong community.

In the early 19th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Moua was Nao Moua, a respected Hmong leader and negotiator who played a crucial role in mediating conflicts between various Hmong clans and neighboring ethnic groups. Nao Moua's diplomatic efforts helped maintain peace and stability in the region during a tumultuous period.

Another prominent individual with the surname Moua was Cher Moua, a skilled artisan and textile weaver who lived in the late 18th century. Cher Moua's intricate and vibrant creations were celebrated throughout the Hmong communities, and her work has been preserved in various cultural archives, showcasing the rich artistic traditions of the Hmong people.

During the 20th century, the Hmong diaspora spread across the globe, with many individuals bearing the surname Moua settling in countries like the United States, France, and Australia. One notable figure from this era was Xao Moua, a Hmong-American activist and author who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Hmong culture and raising awareness about the challenges faced by the Hmong community.

Additionally, the name Moua has been associated with various place names in Laos and Vietnam, such as Ban Moua, a village in the Xiangkhouang Province of Laos, and Muong Moua, a district in the Binh Phuoc Province of Vietnam. These place names likely derived from the presence of Hmong families or clans bearing the Moua surname in those regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Moua

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

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

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

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