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

Wahnee, 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 Wahnee surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wahnee in America

Wahnee is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wahnee surname appeared 105 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 Wahnee.

The history of the last name Wahnee

The surname WAHNEE has its origins in the Native American culture of the Navajo people. It is believed to have originated from the Navajo word "wah-nee", which translates to "wanderer" or "traveler". This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals or families who led a nomadic lifestyle or traveled frequently.

The earliest known records of the WAHNEE surname can be traced back to the 17th century, when the Navajo people inhabited the southwestern region of the present-day United States, primarily in the areas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. During this time, the Spanish colonists and missionaries who encountered the Navajo people often recorded their names and tribal affiliations.

One of the earliest known individuals with the WAHNEE surname was a Navajo chief named Wah-nee, born around 1650. He was renowned for his leadership and diplomacy in negotiating peaceful relations with the Spanish settlers in the region. His name appears in several Spanish records and accounts from that era.

In the 19th century, the WAHNEE surname gained prominence when a Navajo leader named Manuelito WAHNEE (1818-1893) emerged as a prominent figure during the Navajo Wars against the United States government. He played a crucial role in the resistance efforts and became known for his military tactics and strategic alliances with other Native American tribes.

Another notable figure with the WAHNEE surname was Hosteen WAHNEE (1856-1942), a Navajo medicine man and healer. He was widely respected for his knowledge of traditional Navajo healing practices and his contributions to preserving the cultural heritage of his people.

The WAHNEE surname has also been associated with several place names in the southwestern United States. For example, the Wahnee Butte, a prominent landform in the Navajo Nation, is believed to have derived its name from the WAHNEE family or individuals who lived in the area.

While the WAHNEE surname is predominantly of Navajo origin, over time it has been adopted by individuals from other Native American tribes, as well as non-Native populations, particularly in the southwestern regions of the United States.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wahnee

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

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

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

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