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

Sanneh, 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 Sanneh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sanneh in America

Sanneh is the 88336th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sanneh surname appeared 210 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 Sanneh.

The history of the last name Sanneh

The surname Sanneh originates from The Gambia, a small country in West Africa. It is believed to have derived from the Mandinka language, spoken by the largest ethnic group in the region. The name is thought to be linked to the old Mandinka word "sanne," which means "to be fortunate" or "to prosper."

The earliest recorded instances of the Sanneh surname date back to the late 16th century, when it appeared in historical records kept by local chieftains and village elders. The name was prevalent in the regions around the Gambia River, which served as a vital trade route connecting the interior of West Africa with the Atlantic coast.

One notable historical figure bearing the Sanneh name was Sanneh Giddee, a prominent Mandinka trader and diplomat who lived in the late 17th century. He was known for facilitating trade relations between the local communities and European merchants along the Gambian coast.

In the 18th century, the Sanneh surname was recorded in various documents related to the trans-Atlantic slave trade, as some individuals with this name were forcibly transported to the Americas during that period.

In more recent times, the Sanneh surname has gained recognition through several notable individuals. Ousman Sanneh, a Gambian footballer born in 1976, had a successful career playing for clubs in Europe and represented his country in international competitions.

Another prominent figure is Essa Sanneh, a Gambian politician and diplomat born in 1945, who served as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and held various ambassadorial positions.

Lamin Sanneh, born in 1942, is a renowned Gambian-born scholar and historian, known for his work on the history of Christianity in Africa and its interactions with traditional African religions.

Fatou Sanneh, born in 1958, is a Gambian academic and writer who has authored several books and articles on African literature and culture.

Lastly, Momodou Sanneh, born in 1972, is a Gambian-American actor and playwright, recognized for his contributions to the American theater scene, particularly in bringing African stories to the stage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sanneh

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

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

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

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