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

Nyaga, 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 Nyaga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nyaga in America

Nyaga is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nyaga surname appeared 128 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 Nyaga.

The history of the last name Nyaga

The surname Nyaga has its origins in the Bantu language of the Kikuyu people, who are the largest ethnic group in Kenya. The name first emerged in the 16th century in the central highlands of Kenya, specifically in the areas around Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range.

The name Nyaga is believed to be derived from the Kikuyu word "munyaga," which means "one who treads on" or "one who walks heavily." It is possible that the name was initially given as a descriptive term to someone who walked with a heavy or firm step.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nyaga can be found in a collection of Kikuyu oral traditions and stories from the late 18th century. These oral histories mention a Kikuyu elder named Munyaga, who was respected for his wisdom and leadership abilities.

In the 19th century, the name Nyaga appeared in various accounts and records kept by British colonial administrators and missionaries who interacted with the Kikuyu people. For example, a missionary named Johann Ludwig Krapf mentioned a Kikuyu chief named Nyaga in his journal from the 1840s.

A notable figure with the surname Nyaga was Jomo Kenyatta, the first prime minister and president of independent Kenya. Kenyatta, whose birth name was Kamau Ngengi, was born in 1894 and adopted the name Jomo Kenyatta, which means "burning spear" in Kikuyu. He played a pivotal role in Kenya's struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

Another prominent Kenyan with the surname Nyaga was Ngugi wa Thiong'o, a renowned novelist, playwright, and literary scholar. Born in 1938, Ngugi wa Thiong'o is known for his influential works that explore themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and social justice. He has been a vocal advocate for the use of African languages in literature and education.

In the 20th century, the Nyaga surname also gained recognition through the contributions of individuals such as James Nyaga, a Kenyan politician and member of parliament, and Mary Nyaga, a Kenyan educator and advocate for women's rights and empowerment.

Overall, the surname Nyaga has a rich history rooted in the Kikuyu culture and language of Kenya. It has been carried by notable figures who have played significant roles in the country's political, literary, and social landscapes.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nyaga

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

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

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

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