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

Yaya, 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 Yaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yaya in America

Yaya is the 79075th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yaya surname appeared 241 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 Yaya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yaya 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 Yaya

The surname Yaya has its origins in the region of West Africa, specifically among the Mandinka people, who are part of the larger Mande ethnic group. The Mandinka people inhabit areas that are now part of modern-day Mali, Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea. The name Yaya is believed to have emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century, during the time of the Mali Empire which was one of the largest and most influential empires in West Africa.

The etymology of the surname Yaya can be traced to the Mandinka language where it refers to an elder or a respected person. This aligns with the social structures of many West African societies, where elders or family heads held significant authority and respect. The name is a signifier of honor and leadership within the community.

Historical references to the name Yaya can be found in several West African oral histories and epic narratives. For instance, griots, who are traditional historians and storytellers, have recounted tales of influential families bearing the Yaya surname. These oral histories date back to the periods of the Kingdom of Ghana and the Mali Empire, suggesting that the name and its bearers played roles in the socio-political structures of these historic societies.

One of the earliest recorded examples is Yaya Toure, a revered figure who lived in the 16th century and was known for his role as a court advisor in the Mali Empire. Another notable individual is Yaya Traore, born in the late 17th century, who became a prominent military leader and helped defend the Kingdom of Segu against external threats.

In the 19th century, Yaya Diallo gained prominence. Born in 1815, Diallo was a significant figure in the Fula Jihad, a series of religious and social upheavals that reshaped the political landscape of West Africa. By the time of his death in 1892, Diallo had become a respected religious leader and his name was carried forward by generations.

Yaya Camara, born in 1920 in Guinea, was another influential figure. Camara was instrumental in the Guinea independence movement against French colonial rule. He was a key member of the Democratic Party of Guinea and played a crucial role in the country's push for self-governance, which was achieved in 1958.

In modern history, Yaya Johnson, born in 1942, is a significant figure in Sierra Leone. Johnson, a renowned legal scholar and human rights advocate, has been influential in shaping contemporary legal practices and human rights policies in West Africa. His contributions to international law have been widely recognized and his legacy endures.

Throughout history, bearers of the Yaya surname have made significant contributions to their societies, often in roles of leadership, military strategy, and social advocacy. Their legacy is reflected in oral traditions, historical narratives, and the lasting impact on West African cultural and political history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yaya

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!