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

Yambo, 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 Yambo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yambo in America

Yambo is the 61297th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yambo surname appeared 328 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 Yambo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yambo 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 Yambo

The surname Yambo has its origins in Africa, specifically within the areas inhabited by the Bantu-speaking people. The etymology of Yambo can be traced back to the Bantu languages, where it often signifies a connection to nature or a significant trait. In Swahili, a prominent Bantu language, the word "yambo" can mean "matter" or "affair," but similar roots across related languages can imply a sense of importance or distinction.

Historical references to the surname Yambo are scarce, likely due to the oral traditions predominant in the regions where the name originated. Instead of appearing in ancient manuscripts or written records, the history of the name has been preserved through spoken stories and communal memory. It is worth noting that as Bantu people migrated over centuries, the name spread across several regions, including parts of East and Central Africa.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Yambo was Kamau Yambo, who was a respected elder in what is present-day Kenya. Kamau Yambo was born in the late 19th century and is remembered for his leadership and mediation skills within his community. Despite the few records, his legacy continues to be celebrated in local folklore.

In the 20th century, the surname Yambo appeared in various records as more African nations achieved independence and began developing written archives. Joseph Yambo, born in 1923 in Tanzania, was a noted activist and educator who played a significant role in the country's push for independence in the 1960s. His efforts earned him a place in Tanzania’s history as a steadfast advocate for education and equality.

Another significant figure was Esther Yambo, a renowned poet and storyteller from Uganda. Born in 1947, Esther Yambo used her literary talents to preserve and celebrate traditional African tales, contributing greatly to the cultural richness of her community. Her works have been published and studied in various academic circles, highlighting her influence and the historical reach of her surname.

In modern scholarly research, efforts have been made to trace the migratory patterns of families with the Yambo surname. An important historical personality in this regard is Paul Yambo, an ethnomusicologist born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1956. Paul Yambo’s studies on traditional Bantu music and culture have provided invaluable insights into the history and movements of Bantu peoples, indirectly shedding light on the dissemination of surnames such as Yambo.

Lastly, a notable political figure bearing the surname was Maria Yambo, who was actively involved in the post-independence government of Zambia. Born in 1939, Maria Yambo became one of the country’s first female parliamentarians and worked tirelessly for gender equality and social reforms until her retirement in the late 1980s.

In summary, the surname Yambo is closely tied to the Bantu-speaking regions of Africa with a history woven through oral traditions, the actions of key historical figures, and its continued cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yambo

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

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

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

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