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

Woldemariam, 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 Woldemariam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woldemariam in America

Woldemariam is the 36154th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woldemariam surname appeared 620 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 Woldemariam.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woldemariam 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 Woldemariam

The surname Woldemariam is of Ethiopian origin, deeply rooted in the history and culture of the region. Ethiopia, with its ancient civilization, has a rich tapestry of names that reflect its diverse ethnic groups, languages, and religions. The name Woldemariam primarily comes from the Amharic language, which is one of the major languages in Ethiopia and the working language of the government.

Woldemariam is a compound name derived from two Amharic words: "Wolde" (son of) and "Mariam" (Mary), referring to the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition. This surname typically signifies "Son of Mary," indicating a Christian heritage. The Christianization of Ethiopia dates back to the 4th-century reign of King Ezana of Axum, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a profound influence on naming conventions in the region.

Historical references to the surname Woldemariam are sparse but notable. One of the early recorded individuals with this surname is Zewde Woldemariam, an Ethiopian nobleman who played a significant role in the military campaigns of Emperor Tewodros II during the mid-19th century. Zewde's contributions to the Ethiopian empire are documented in various historical texts on the period's military history.

Another prominent figure bearing the surname is Haile Woldemariam, an Ethiopian scholar and diplomat in the early 20th century, known for his work in fostering international relations during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie. Haile Woldemariam was instrumental in several diplomatic missions and was a key figure in representing Ethiopia's interests abroad in the 1930s.

In the academic sphere, Desta Woldemariam, born in 1933, was a significant contributor to Ethiopian literature and education. As a professor and author, Desta's works focused on the cultural and historical aspects of Ethiopia, helping to preserve and promote the country's rich heritage. Desta's academic pursuits provided a foundation for future generations of Ethiopian scholars.

Tsegaye Woldemariam, a renowned figure in the arts, was a playwright and poet whose works gained acclaim in the mid-20th century. His literary contributions explored themes of identity, nationalism, and social justice, resonating deeply with the Ethiopian populace. Tsegaye's plays often reflected the socio-political landscape of his time, earning him a lasting place in Ethiopian cultural history.

Another notable individual is Mulugeta Woldemariam, an Ethiopian resistance leader during the Italian occupation in the 1930s and 1940s. Mulugeta's leadership and bravery were pivotal in the struggle for Ethiopian independence, and his efforts are commemorated in various historical records and accounts of the resistance movement.

These historical figures highlight the prominence and diverse contributions of individuals with the surname Woldemariam. The name itself, rich with religious and cultural significance, reflects a lineage of influential personalities who have left their mark on Ethiopian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woldemariam

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

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

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

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