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

Samaha, 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 Samaha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Samaha in America

Samaha is the 28525th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Samaha surname appeared 836 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 Samaha.

We can also compare 2010 data for Samaha 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 Samaha

The surname "SAMAHA" is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the Middle East, particularly the Levant region which includes modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. The name is derived from the Arabic word "samaha," which means "forgiveness" or "pardon."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 14th century, when it appeared in Arabic manuscripts from the region. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by individuals who were known for their forgiving and merciful nature, or those who had been pardoned for some offense.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over the region in the 16th to 20th centuries, the name was further solidified and spread throughout the Levant. Records from this period showcase several individuals bearing the name SAMAHA, including Abdallah Samaha, a prominent scholar and poet who lived in Damascus in the 17th century.

As the centuries passed, the name SAMAHA continued to be passed down through generations and eventually made its way to other parts of the world through immigration. One notable figure was Joseph Samaha, a Lebanese-American poet and writer who was born in 1923 and is known for his works that explored themes of identity and cultural heritage.

Another individual of note was Nadia Samaha, a renowned Lebanese singer and actress who was born in 1939 and achieved great success in the Arab world, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. Her contributions to the music industry and her enduring popularity solidified the SAMAHA name in the cultural landscape.

In the 20th century, the name also gained recognition in the field of academia, with individuals like Edward E. Samaha, an American professor of political science who authored several books on government and public policy. He was born in 1941 and his works have been widely studied and referenced.

Additionally, Michel Samaha, a Lebanese politician and former minister of information, has been a prominent figure in the political arena since the late 20th century. His involvement in various governments and his influence in the region have further cemented the SAMAHA name in the public consciousness.

While these are just a few examples, the surname SAMAHA has a rich history that spans centuries and continents, reflecting the diverse journeys and accomplishments of those who have carried this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Samaha

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

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

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

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