Vilma
A surname derived from a Germanic name meaning "resolute protection".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Vilma. That puts it at #117,480 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Vilma surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#117,480
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
148
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 148 bearers of the surname Vilma in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 117480th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Vilma, the largest self-reported group is Black at 49.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (38.5%) and White (6.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Vilma
The surname Vilma has its origins in the Baltic region, specifically in Lithuania. It is derived from the Lithuanian word "vilma," which means "wave" or "billow." The name likely emerged during the 13th or 14th century when Lithuanian surnames began to take shape.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Vilma surname can be found in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's tax records from the 16th century. These records often listed individuals by their occupation or place of residence, and it is possible that the name Vilma was initially given to someone living near a body of water or associated with maritime activities.
During the Middle Ages, the Vilma surname appeared in various historical documents and manuscripts from the region. For instance, there are references to individuals with this surname in the chronicles of the Teutonic Knights, who had frequent interactions with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the Vilma surname was Jokubas Vilma, a Lithuanian peasant leader who played a significant role in the Kosciuszko Uprising against the Russian Empire in 1794. His resistance efforts were documented in several contemporary accounts.
Another individual of historical significance bearing the Vilma surname was Antanas Vilma (1856-1932), a Lithuanian poet and playwright. He was a prominent figure in the Lithuanian National Revival movement and contributed to the preservation and promotion of Lithuanian culture and language.
In the 20th century, Kazimieras Vilma (1902-1963) was a Lithuanian-American sculptor and artist. He emigrated to the United States in the 1920s and became known for his sculptures depicting Lithuanian folk themes and traditions.
It is worth noting that variations of the Vilma surname emerged over time, such as Vilmas, Vilmaitė, and Vilmauskas. These variations often indicated different branches of the same family or specific locations where the name originated.
While the surname Vilma is predominantly found in Lithuania and among Lithuanian diaspora communities, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and intermarriage. However, its roots can be traced back to the Baltic region and the rich cultural heritage of Lithuania.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Vilma
Among Census respondents with the surname Vilma, the largest self-reported group is Black at 49.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (38.5%) and White (6.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Vilma bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Vilma surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American49.3%
- Hispanic or Latino38.5%
- White6.8%
- Two or more races4.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Vilma surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #117,480 | #117,480 | 0.0% |
| Count | 148 | 148 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Vilma bearers went from 148 to 148 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #117,480 to #117,480.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Vilma
FAQ
Vilma surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Vilma?
The surname Vilma holds position #117,480 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Vilma surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Vilma, the largest self-reported group is Black at 49.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (38.5%) and White (6.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.