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

Thiam, 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 Thiam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Thiam in America

Thiam is the 26171st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Thiam surname appeared 935 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 Thiam.

We can also compare 2010 data for Thiam 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 Thiam

The surname THIAM originated in Senegal, West Africa, and can be traced back to the 18th century. It is derived from the Wolof language spoken in that region, where the word "thiam" means "big tree" or "large baobab tree". The name was likely given to families or individuals who lived near or were associated with a prominent baobab tree.

In the early 19th century, the THIAM name appeared in records documenting French colonial rule in Senegal. One notable figure was Amadou THIAM, a local chief who negotiated with the French authorities in the 1820s regarding land disputes and territorial boundaries.

The earliest known bearer of the THIAM surname was Demba THIAM, born around 1760 in the village of Ndiaffate, near present-day Kaolack. He was a respected village elder and oral historian who passed down many traditional stories and legends.

In the late 19th century, a man named Ousmane THIAM (1865-1942) gained prominence as a skilled trader and merchant, facilitating the exchange of goods between Senegal and neighboring regions. His business acumen and success contributed to the name's recognition.

During the 20th century, several prominent individuals with the THIAM surname emerged in various fields. Idrissa THIAM (1905-1988) was a notable Senegalese politician who served as a member of the National Assembly and advocated for independence from French colonial rule.

Another notable figure was Fatou THIAM (1920-2008), a pioneering journalist and author who wrote extensively about Senegalese culture and women's rights. Her works, including the book "Contes et légendes du Sénégal" (Tales and Legends of Senegal), helped preserve and promote the country's oral traditions.

In the field of sports, Khady THIAM (born 1976) is a renowned Senegalese athlete who won multiple medals in sprinting events at international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships.

Overall, the surname THIAM has a rich history rooted in Senegalese culture and has been carried by influential figures across various domains throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Thiam

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Thiam, 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!