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

Talanoa, 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 Talanoa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Talanoa in America

Talanoa is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Talanoa surname appeared 127 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 Talanoa.

The history of the last name Talanoa

The surname "TALANOA" is derived from the Fijian language and is believed to have originated in the islands of Fiji, located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is a relatively modern surname, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the late 19th century.

The word "talanoa" in the Fijian language means "to tell stories or relate experiences." It is a concept deeply rooted in Fijian culture, where storytelling and the exchange of narratives are integral to social gatherings and community building. The surname likely originated from this cultural practice, with families adopting it as a way to identify themselves and their connection to the traditional art of storytelling.

While there are no known historical references to the surname "TALANOA" in ancient manuscripts or records, it is believed to have been in use among the indigenous Fijian population for several generations before being formally documented by colonial authorities.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "TALANOA" was Ratu Epeli Talanoa, a prominent Fijian chief and leader who lived in the late 19th century. He played a significant role in the negotiations between the indigenous Fijian population and the British colonial authorities during the cession of Fiji to the British Empire in 1874.

Another notable figure with the surname "TALANOA" was Sefanaia Talanoa, a Fijian politician and diplomat who served as the first Fijian ambassador to the United Nations from 1970 to 1976. He was born in 1920 and played a crucial role in representing Fiji on the international stage during the early years of its independence.

In the realm of academia, Dr. Unaisi Nabobo-Talanoa, a renowned Fijian academic and educator, has made significant contributions to the field of indigenous education and research methodologies. Born in 1956, she has championed the use of the "Talanoa" approach, which emphasizes cultural narratives and storytelling as a research method, particularly in the Pacific region.

Vilimaina Talanoa, a Fijian artist and sculptor, has gained recognition for her works that celebrate and depict Fijian culture and traditions. Born in 1965, her sculptures and installations often incorporate elements of storytelling and narratives, reflecting the essence of the "talanoa" concept.

Another notable figure was Josefa Talanoa, a Fijian rugby union player who represented Fiji at the international level in the late 20th century. He was part of the Fijian national team that participated in the Rugby World Cup in 1987 and was known for his exceptional skills on the field.

It is important to note that while the surname "TALANOA" is deeply rooted in Fijian culture and tradition, it has also gained recognition beyond the Pacific region, with individuals bearing this surname making significant contributions in various fields worldwide.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Talanoa

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!