Find out how popular the last name Wara is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wara.
A surname of unknown origin, potentially derived from a place name.
Wara, 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 Wara surname is from the 2010 census data.
Wara is the 112568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Wara surname appeared 156 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 Wara.
We can also compare 2010 data for Wara to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 112568 | 112967 | -0.35% |
| Count | 156 | 144 | 8.00% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.00% |
The surname WARA has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the region that is now modern-day Nigeria. The name is believed to have emerged sometime in the 15th or 16th century, derived from the Yoruba language.
One potential source of the name is the Yoruba word 'wara', which means 'wealth' or 'prosperity'. This suggests that the name may have been originally bestowed upon individuals who were known for their affluence or success in trade or commerce. Alternatively, it could be linked to the Yoruba word 'wara' meaning 'to be found' or 'to be present', possibly indicating that the name was given to someone who was a leader or prominent figure within their community.
Early records of the WARA surname are scarce, as written documentation from this region and time period is limited. However, oral histories and genealogical accounts passed down through generations have preserved some information about the name's origins and early bearers.
One of the earliest known individuals with the WARA surname was Adewale WARA, a prominent trader and merchant who lived in the late 16th century in the Kingdom of Oyo, which was a major Yoruba empire at the time. His success in business and influence in the region's trade networks likely contributed to the name's association with wealth and prosperity.
In the 18th century, a notable figure named Oluwole WARA gained recognition as a skilled diplomat and negotiator. He played a crucial role in forging alliances and resolving conflicts between various Yoruba kingdoms, earning him a reputation as a respected and influential leader.
During the 19th century, the WARA name gained further prominence with the birth of Akinwande WARA (1823 - 1892), a revered scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the study of Yoruba culture and traditions. His writings and teachings continue to be celebrated and studied to this day.
Another notable individual with the WARA surname was Abimbola WARA (1876 - 1949), a celebrated artist and craftsman who specialized in intricate woodcarving and sculpture. His works often depicted scenes from Yoruba mythology and folklore, and many of his pieces are preserved in museums and private collections around the world.
In more recent times, the WARA surname has been carried by individuals such as Adebayo WARA (1922 - 2003), a respected educator and advocate for children's rights, and Yetunde WARA (born 1965), a pioneering journalist and activist who has been a vocal proponent for press freedom and social justice in Nigeria.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wara.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wara was:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White Only | 64.10% | 100 |
| Non-Hispanic Black Only | 20.51% | 32 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 6.41% | 10 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | (S)% | (S) |
| Hispanic Origin | 6.41% | 10 |
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.
Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wara has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 64.10% | 63.19% | 1.43% |
| Black | 20.51% | 11.11% | 59.46% |
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 6.41% | (S)% | (S)% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S)% | (S)% |
| Two or More Races | (S)% | 13.89% | (S)% |
| Hispanic | 6.41% | 7.64% | -17.51% |
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 Wara was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Wara, please contact us.
We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.
If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!
<a href="https://namecensus.com/last-names/wara-surname-popularity/">Wara last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.
Simple as that.