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

Wambua, 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 Wambua surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wambua in America

Wambua is the 145220th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wambua surname appeared 114 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 Wambua.

The history of the last name Wambua

The surname Wambua has its origins in Kenya, East Africa, and is believed to have emerged during the 16th century. It is rooted in the Kamba language spoken by the Akamba people, an ethnic group native to the region. The name is derived from the word "wambu," which means "rock" or "stone" in Kamba, suggesting a possible connection to a geographic location or a person's occupation related to stonework.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Wambua can be found in oral traditions and folklore passed down among the Akamba communities. These narratives often mention individuals bearing the name, highlighting their significance in the cultural or historical context of the region. However, written records from that era are scarce, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact origins and earliest occurrences of the name with certainty.

During the colonial era in Kenya, when record-keeping practices became more systematic, instances of the name Wambua began appearing in official documents. Some notable individuals bearing the surname include Mwanzia Wambua (1878-1954), a respected Kamba chief and influential figure in the region's resistance against colonial rule, and Joseph Kamba Wambua (1902-1980), a prominent Kamba elder and advisor to the colonial administration.

In the realm of literature, the name Wambua gained recognition through the works of Ngugi wa Thiong'o, a renowned Kenyan writer and scholar. His novel "Petals of Blood" (1977) features a character named Wambua, portraying the struggles and resilience of the Kenyan people during a turbulent period in the country's history.

Throughout the 20th century, several individuals with the surname Wambua made significant contributions in various fields. Among them are Samuel Wambua (1920-2005), a pioneering Kenyan engineer who played a crucial role in the country's infrastructure development, and Grace Wambua (1932-2018), a renowned Kenyan educator and advocate for women's education.

As the Akamba people dispersed across different regions of Kenya and beyond, the surname Wambua became more widespread, with families carrying the name found in various parts of the country and the diaspora. However, its origins remain firmly rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Kamba people and the linguistic traditions of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wambua

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

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

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

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