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

Paopao, 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 Paopao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Paopao in America

Paopao is the 119508th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Paopao surname appeared 145 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 Paopao.

The history of the last name Paopao

The surname PAOPAO is believed to have originated in the Samoan Islands, a Pacific island country located in the central South Pacific Ocean. It is thought to have emerged sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century, although precise records are scarce.

The name PAOPAO is derived from the Samoan language, where "pao" means "to fly" or "to soar." It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals who were known for their agility, swiftness, or perhaps their skills as warriors or hunters. The repetition of the syllable "pao" may have been used to emphasize or intensify the meaning.

While there are no known historical references to the name PAOPAO in ancient manuscripts or records, it is likely that the name was used within Samoan communities and villages for generations before it was documented in written form.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname PAOPAO was Sio PAOPAO, a Samoan chief who lived in the late 19th century. He was known for his leadership and involvement in local affairs on the island of Savai'i.

Another notable figure was Tavita PAOPAO (1872-1941), a Samoan pastor and educator who played a significant role in the establishment of Christian schools and churches in Samoa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the early 20th century, Tauiliili PAOPAO (1900-1976) was a respected Samoan artist and woodcarver known for his intricate and detailed works depicting traditional Samoan motifs and cultural elements.

Fua PAOPAO (1920-1995) was a Samoan politician and diplomat who served as the first ambassador of Samoa to the United Nations after the country gained independence in 1962.

More recently, Vaimasenu'u PAOPAO (1945-2018) was a prominent figure in Samoan literature and poetry, renowned for his contributions to preserving and promoting the Samoan language and cultural heritage through his writings.

While the name PAOPAO may have evolved or been spelled differently in various regions or dialects of Samoa, the core meaning and significance remain rooted in the island's rich cultural and linguistic traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Paopao

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

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

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

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