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

Tounkara, 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 Tounkara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tounkara in America

Tounkara is the 78040th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tounkara surname appeared 245 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 Tounkara.

The history of the last name Tounkara

The surname TOUNKARA originated in the West African country of Mali, with its earliest known usage dating back to the 14th century during the Mali Empire. The name is derived from the Bamanankan language, which is spoken by the Bambara ethnic group that inhabits the region around the Niger River in Mali.

The name TOUNKARA is believed to have its roots in the Bambara words "toun" meaning "hunter" and "kara" meaning "large" or "great," suggesting that the original bearers of this surname were skilled or renowned hunters. This linguistic connection aligns with the historical significance of hunting as a crucial economic and cultural activity for the Bambara people.

In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Moussa TOUNKARA served as a military leader and advisor to the renowned Malian emperor Sundiata Keita. TOUNKARA's strategic contributions during the expansion of the Mali Empire were documented in oral histories and griots' tales, which have been passed down through generations.

During the 17th century, a notable scholar and Islamic jurist named Amadou TOUNKARA gained recognition for his expertise in Islamic law and his contributions to the preservation of Bambara cultural traditions. His writings and teachings influenced the intellectual discourse of the time and helped shape the region's religious and scholarly landscape.

In the 19th century, a Bambara ruler named Samory TOUNKARA (1830-1900) emerged as a prominent figure in the resistance against French colonial expansion in West Africa. He established a powerful empire and led a series of military campaigns to defend his territory, earning him a reputation as a skilled strategist and a fierce defender of his people's sovereignty.

Another notable bearer of the TOUNKARA surname was Bakary TOUNKARA (1895-1975), a influential Malian writer, poet, and cultural activist who played a significant role in preserving and promoting the Bambara language and literary traditions. His works, which explored themes of identity, tradition, and resistance, are widely celebrated and studied within Mali and beyond.

Throughout its history, the surname TOUNKARA has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various aspects of Malian society, including military leadership, scholarship, resistance against colonialism, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The name continues to hold cultural significance and pride among the Bambara people and those with ties to the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tounkara

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

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

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

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