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

Wika, 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 Wika surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wika in America

Wika is the 81772nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wika surname appeared 231 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 Wika.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wika 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 Wika

The surname Wika has its origins in Scandinavia, specifically Norway and Sweden. It dates back to the medieval period around the 14th and 15th centuries. The name is likely derived from the Old Norse word "vík," which means "bay" or "inlet." This suggests that the original bearers of the name lived near or were associated with a coastal or bay area.

The name Wika is rooted in the areas of coastal Norway and Sweden, regions known for their many fjords, bays, and inlets. The Old Norse term "vík" evolved into various spellings over the centuries, including "wik" and "vik." Historical manuscripts from the medieval period, such as tax records and land deeds, often referenced these regions and occasionally mentioned the surname in connection with land ownership near water bodies.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Wika appears in a Norwegian document from the mid-15th century. The document references a Eirikur Wika, born around 1440, who was noted as a landowner in a coastal area near a bay. This early example highlights the geographic link the surname has to bays and inlets.

Moving forward to the 17th century, another notable figure with the surname was Lars Wika, born in 1623 and passed away in 1691. He was a merchant and sailor based in Bergen, Norway, a city with a significant maritime history. His business dealings and contributions to local commerce were well-documented, emphasizing the name's association with coastal trade and navigation.

In the 18th century, Karin Wika, born in 1745 in Sweden, gained recognition for her contributions to textile production. She was known for her intricate weaving and had several pieces displayed in local fairs. Her work exemplified the artisanal skills often associated with families living near resource-rich coastal areas.

The 19th century saw another notable bearer of the name, Nils Wika, born in 1825 in northern Norway. He was a prominent figure in the fishing industry, particularly known for advancements in fishing techniques and equipment that significantly boosted local fish yields. His legacy was well-recorded in local fishing guilds and trade documents.

Finally, in the early 20th century, Ole Wika, born in 1887, made a name for himself as an early aviator in Norway. His fascination with flight led him to become one of the pioneers in Norwegian aviation history, with his feats documented in early aviation records and newspapers.

Through these historical references and notable individuals, the surname Wika highlights a strong connection to coastal and maritime activities over the centuries. The evolution of the name from Old Norse roots to contemporary spellings reflects both its geographical and cultural significance in Scandinavian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wika

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

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

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

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