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

Usma, 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 Usma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Usma in America

Usma is the 118853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Usma surname appeared 146 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 Usma.

The history of the last name Usma

The surname USMA traces its origins to the Middle East, specifically the region known as Mesopotamia, which encompasses parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. It is believed to have emerged during the early Islamic period, around the 7th century AD.

The name USMA is thought to be derived from the Arabic word "usma," which means "protection" or "safeguard." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals who were known for their protective or defensive roles within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname USMA can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab historian and scholar, Al-Tabari (838-923 AD). In his historical chronicles, he mentions a prominent figure named Usma ibn Zayd, who was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a notable military leader during the early years of Islam.

Another notable figure bearing the surname USMA was Usma ibn Munqidh (1095-1188 AD), a Syrian diplomat, author, and warrior who served under the Ayyubid dynasty. His memoir, "Kitab al-I'tibar" (The Book of Learning by Example), is considered a valuable historical source that provides insights into the social and political landscape of the 12th century Middle East.

During the medieval period, variations of the name USMA can be found in various regions of the Middle East and North Africa. For instance, in the 13th century, there was a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist named Usma ibn Yahya al-Maghribi, who hailed from present-day Morocco.

In the 14th century, an influential Sufi mystic and poet named Usma al-Nuri lived in what is now modern-day Turkey. His spiritual teachings and poetic works were widely renowned and influential in the region.

As the Islamic empires expanded, the surname USMA spread across various parts of the world, including the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. One notable figure from this era was Usma Khan (1542-1605), a Mughal military commander and governor who played a crucial role in the expansion of the Mughal Empire in India.

While the surname USMA has its roots in the Middle East, it has since been adopted and adapted by various cultures and communities around the world, each adding their unique linguistic and cultural influences to its evolution and meaning.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Usma

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

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

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

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