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

Sorapuru, 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 Sorapuru surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sorapuru in America

Sorapuru is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sorapuru surname appeared 143 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 Sorapuru.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sorapuru 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 Sorapuru

The surname SORAPURU has its origins in the ancient region of Xhosa, which is located in present-day South Africa. This name can be traced back to the 15th century and is believed to be derived from the Xhosa phrase "usorapuru," meaning "one who overcomes challenges with resilience."

During the early colonial era, the SORAPURU name appeared in various historical records and manuscripts documenting interactions between European settlers and the Xhosa people. One of the earliest known mentions of this surname can be found in a Dutch East India Company journal from the late 1600s, where a Xhosa chieftain named Ntsundu SORAPURU was recorded as leading negotiations with Dutch officials.

In the 18th century, the SORAPURU name gained prominence among the Xhosa nobility, with several prominent individuals bearing this surname. One notable figure was Ngqika SORAPURU (1775-1828), a powerful chief who played a pivotal role in the Xhosa Wars against British colonial forces. His son, Maqoma SORAPURU (1798-1873), continued his father's legacy as a respected leader and diplomat.

As the centuries progressed, the SORAPURU surname spread beyond the Xhosa region, with individuals carrying this name found in various parts of South Africa and neighboring countries. In the late 19th century, a renowned poet and educator named Zolile SORAPURU (1867-1924) gained recognition for his influential works that celebrated Xhosa culture and promoted education among his people.

Another prominent figure with the SORAPURU surname was Nontsikelelo SORAPURU (1910-1988), a pioneering political activist who fought against apartheid in South Africa. She played a crucial role in organizing protests and advocating for equal rights during the struggle against racial segregation.

Throughout its history, the SORAPURU name has been associated with resilience, leadership, and a deep connection to the Xhosa cultural heritage. While the surname may have variations in spelling or pronunciation across different regions, its underlying meaning and significance have remained intact, serving as a symbol of strength and perseverance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sorapuru

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

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

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

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