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

Phom, 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 Phom surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Phom in America

Phom is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Phom surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Phom.

The history of the last name Phom

The surname Phom has its origins in Southeast Asia, specifically from the Naga people who reside in the northeastern part of India, particularly Nagaland. The name is deeply rooted within the Phom tribe, one of the major tribes in Nagaland. The historical roots of the Phom tribe can be traced back to ancient times, though precise records of the exact period are scarce. The surname itself is derived from the traditional tribal names, encompassing meaning related to their customs, heritage, and traditional practices.

The name Phom pertains to the Phom Nagas, who primarily inhabit the Longleng district. The tribe has a rich cultural history dating back centuries, although written records became more prevalent with the advent of British colonialism in the 19th century. The British administrators often documented the tribes and their social structures, which has fortunately preserved some aspects of the name’s history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Phom appears in colonial records from the late 1800s. The British administration documented various tribes during their anthropological and administrative surveys. A notable figure from this period is Longchr Phom, a tribal leader who played a significant role in maintaining peace and order during the British rule, although exact dates of birth and death are not precisely recorded.

In the early 20th century, another significant figure bearing the surname was Senator Pongo Phom, born in 1910 and remembered for his political contributions towards the rights and recognition of the Naga people. His efforts were crucial during the negotiations that led to the formation of Nagaland as a separate state in India in 1963.

In more recent historical contexts, Phom Lempong, a prominent educator in the mid-20th century, born in 1932, made substantial strides in advocating for education among the Phom community, ensuring improved literacy rates and educational facilities.

The lineage continued with Lautju Phom, a well-known artist born in 1948, who gained fame for his unique style, blending traditional Phom art with contemporary techniques. His works have been showcased in various national and international galleries, bringing recognition to Phom cultural heritage.

Lastly, Chingmak Phom, born in 1954, is a noted social activist, known for his contributions to healthcare and social welfare in the Longleng district. His humanitarian work has garnered widespread acclaim and has had a lasting impact on improving the lives of the local communities.

Overall, the surname Phom reveals a rich tapestry of cultural and historical significance, deeply intertwined with the heritage of the Phom tribe in Nagaland. The legacy of individuals bearing this surname highlights the enduring influence and contributions of the Phom people to their region and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Phom

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Phom 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 Phom was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!