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

Sama, 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 Sama surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sama in America

Sama is the 28049th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sama surname appeared 854 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 Sama.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sama 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 Sama

The surname SAMA originates from the Indian subcontinent, derived from the Sanskrit word 'sama' meaning 'equal' or 'same'. It is believed to have been used as a title or honorific for individuals who were regarded as impartial or fair in their dealings.

The earliest recorded instances of the name SAMA can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE. It was commonly found in regions such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, where Sanskrit was widely used as a scholarly language.

During the medieval period, the SAMA surname gained prominence among the Brahmin and Kshatriya communities, particularly in regions under the rule of the Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, and Pala dynasties. Several notable figures bearing this name are mentioned in historical records and literary works from this era.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname SAMA was Ravi Sama, a renowned poet and scholar from the 7th century CE. His works, including the epic poem 'Ravisama Kavya', are considered literary treasures and provide valuable insights into the cultural and social landscape of that time.

In the 12th century, Samara Sama, a renowned astronomer and mathematician, made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. His treatise, 'Sama Siddhanta', is regarded as a seminal work on celestial calculations and was widely studied by scholars across the Indian subcontinent.

Another prominent figure was Acharya Sama, a revered spiritual leader and philosopher from the 14th century. He was known for his teachings on ethics, metaphysics, and the pursuit of knowledge, and his writings continue to influence various philosophical and spiritual traditions in India.

During the reign of the Mughal Empire, the SAMA surname was also found among the nobility and administrative officials. Mir Sama, a prominent courtier and advisor to Emperor Akbar, played a crucial role in the governance of the empire and was known for his wisdom and diplomatic skills.

In the 18th century, Rani Sama Devi, a brave and influential queen from the princely state of Bundi, was renowned for her military prowess and her efforts in defending her kingdom against external threats.

While the SAMA surname is more prevalent in certain regions of India, it has also been carried to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical roots of this name can be traced back to the ancient and rich cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sama

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

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

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

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