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

Sanoja, 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 Sanoja surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sanoja in America

Sanoja is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sanoja surname appeared 100 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 Sanoja.

The history of the last name Sanoja

The surname "SANOJA" is believed to have originated in Finland, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to have derived from the Finnish word "sana," which translates to "word" or "speech," suggesting that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in communication, such as messengers, orators, or scribes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a 17th-century parish register from the town of Sääksmäki, where a family with the surname Sanoja is mentioned. This particular family is believed to have lived in the region for several generations, indicating that the name had already been established by that time.

In the 18th century, the name Sanoja appeared in various historical records, including land ownership documents and tax records from the regions of Häme and Satakunta. These records provide valuable insights into the geographic distribution of the surname and its prevalence among different social classes.

Notable individuals with the surname Sanoja include Antti Sanoja (1732-1812), a farmer and landowner from the village of Kylmäkoski, who was known for his expertise in traditional agricultural practices. Another prominent figure was Kaarina Sanoja (1789-1867), a skilled weaver and entrepreneur who established a successful textile business in the town of Ikaalinen.

During the 19th century, the name Sanoja continued to be found in various official records, such as census data and military registers. One notable individual from this period was Juho Sanoja (1821-1895), a respected teacher and author who published several books on Finnish language and folklore.

In the early 20th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of Eino Sanoja (1903-1982), a renowned artist and sculptor whose works can be found in several museums and public spaces across Finland. His contributions to the art world helped to further cement the legacy of the Sanoja surname.

Throughout its history, the name Sanoja has remained deeply rooted in Finnish culture and traditions, serving as a testament to the rich linguistic heritage and the enduring importance of communication within the Finnish society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sanoja

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

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

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

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