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

Nigatu, 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 Nigatu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nigatu in America

Nigatu is the 139228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nigatu surname appeared 120 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 Nigatu.

The history of the last name Nigatu

The surname "NIGATU" has its origins in Ethiopia, where it is believed to have originated as early as the 15th century. It is derived from the Amharic language, which is the official language of Ethiopia. The word "nigatu" means "to be born" or "to be brought forth" in Amharic.

The name is thought to have its roots in the Semitic languages spoken in the region, such as Ge'ez and Tigrinya. These languages have influenced the development of Amharic over the centuries. The spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent, with minor variations such as "Nigat" or "Nigatu."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "NIGATU" can be found in the chronicles of the Ethiopian Empire, which date back to the 16th century. These chronicles were written by scribes and chroniclers who documented the lives and reigns of the Ethiopian emperors.

In the 17th century, a renowned Ethiopian scholar and theologian named Zena Petros NIGATU made significant contributions to the study of the Ge'ez language and the interpretation of religious texts. He is known for his works on the Ge'ez translation of the Bible and his commentaries on various biblical texts.

During the 18th century, a notable figure named Wolde NIGATU served as a military commander under the reign of Emperor Iyasu II. He played a crucial role in the battles against the Oromo people, who were engaged in a series of conflicts with the Ethiopian Empire at the time.

In the 19th century, a prominent Ethiopian writer and philosopher named Gebra Hiwot NIGATU gained recognition for his works on Ethiopian culture and society. His writings provided valuable insights into the social and political dynamics of the time.

Another significant figure bearing the surname "NIGATU" was Dejazmach Geresu NIGATU, who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a military leader and governor of various provinces in Ethiopia, serving under Emperor Menelik II.

The surname "NIGATU" has been associated with various regions within Ethiopia, including the historical provinces of Shewa, Amhara, and Tigray. It continues to be a prominent surname among the Amhara and Tigrinya ethnic groups, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and linguistic connections.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nigatu

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

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

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

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