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

Worku, 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 Worku surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worku in America

Worku is the 31107th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worku surname appeared 746 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 Worku.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worku 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 Worku

The surname Worku originates from Ethiopia, a country with a rich cultural history. The name is most commonly found among the Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups and is rooted in the Amharic and Oromo languages, which are widely spoken in Ethiopia. The name Worku is derived from the Amharic word "ወርቁ" (werku), which translates to "gold" in English, symbolizing something precious or valuable.

The earliest references to the surname Worku can be found in ancient Ethiopian manuscripts and religious texts, as Ethiopia has a long tradition of recorded history dating back millennia. One of the oldest records mentioning a person named Worku is from a 16th-century manuscript detailing the lineage of a noble family in the Gojjam region. During the medieval period, the name Worku was often associated with individuals of high social standing, given its meaning and symbolic significance.

One historical figure who bore the surname Worku was Dejazmach Worku, a regional governor in the late 18th century who played a significant role in the politics of the Ethiopian Empire. His contributions to the administration and defense of his region are well-documented in the royal chronicles of that era.

In the early 20th century, Mulugeta Worku was a prominent figure in the Ethiopian academic and political spheres. Born in 1902 and passing away in 1968, he was known for his involvement in educational reforms and his advocacy for modernization in Ethiopia. His legacy is remembered for the positive changes he brought to the Ethiopian education system.

Another notable person with this surname is Gudina Worku, an Ethiopian athlete born in 1932. He gained international recognition in the 1950s and 1960s for his achievements in long-distance running, competing in numerous marathons and setting record times that brought pride to his country on the global stage.

Renowned writer Tadesse Worku, born in 1955, made significant contributions to Ethiopian literature. His works often explore themes of culture, identity, and social issues, capturing the complexities of Ethiopian society. His books are studied in Ethiopian schools and universities, highlighting his lasting influence on the nation's literary tradition.

In more recent history, Nigist Worku, born in 1965, became a celebrated figure for her humanitarian efforts. She worked extensively with international organizations to provide relief and development aid across Ethiopia, particularly focusing on women’s rights and education. Her impactful work has been recognized globally, earning her several international awards.

The surname Worku continues to hold a place of honor and respect in Ethiopian society, carried on by many individuals who contribute to various fields such as politics, sports, literature, and humanitarian work. Its storied history and meaning as "gold" reflect the enduring value and legacy of those who bear this distinguished name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worku

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

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

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

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