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

Wiafe, 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 Wiafe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiafe in America

Wiafe is the 76533rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiafe surname appeared 251 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 Wiafe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wiafe 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.

The history of the last name Wiafe

The surname Wiafe originates from Ghana, a country on the west coast of Africa. It is predominantly found among the Akan people, who are the largest ethnic group in Ghana. The surname Wiafe is derived from the Akan language, specifically from Twi, a language spoken by the Akan. It is a combination of words that often relate to individuals' ancestry, clan affiliations, or characteristics.

In Akan tradition, surnames play a significant role and are indicative of the family's lineage or clan. The name Wiafe may be linked to the tribal or familial roles, responsibilities, or the geographical origin of the family. Historically, Akan names were carefully selected to convey meaning and preserve histories, serving as a living record of the community's experiences and aspirations.

One of the earliest known records of the surname Wiafe is traced back to the 17th century, a period during which many Akan clans were establishing themselves. Although specific documentary references such as the Domesday Book are European and not directly applicable, Akan oral histories and genealogies function similarly to record family and clan names.

One prominent bearer of the surname was Dr. Wiafe-Akenten, born in the early 1900s, who was known for his contributions to Ghana's educational and healthcare systems. Another significant individual was Nana Kwame Wiafe, a paramount chief in the Ashanti region, renowned for his role in mediating conflicts and championing development in the mid-20th century.

Kwabena Wiafe was a notable athlete born in 1948, who excelled in middle-distance running and represented Ghana in multiple international competitions during the 1960s and 1970s. Another historical figure was Afia Wiafe, a social activist born in 1922, who was instrumental in advocating for women's rights and education in rural Ghana.

In the arts, Kofi Wiafe-Annor, born in 1935, was a celebrated playwright and poet whose works captured the essence of Akan culture and contributed to Ghana's literary heritage. His writings often explored themes of identity, tradition, and the struggles of modernity faced by Ghanaian society.

These examples illustrate the enduring legacy and cultural significance of the surname Wiafe within Ghanaian history. The name serves as a testament to the individuals who bore it and their contributions to the cultural, social, and historical fabric of Ghana.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiafe

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

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 Wiafe 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wiafe has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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