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

Yuma, 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 Yuma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yuma in America

Yuma is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yuma surname appeared 100 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 Yuma.

The history of the last name Yuma

The surname Yuma is quite intriguing and has a multifaceted history that varies depending on the region and context in which it is examined. One primary root of the name Yuma traces back to the indigenous tribes of North America, specifically to the Quechan people, who are also referred to as the Yuma. The Quechan tribe historically inhabited areas along the lower Colorado River in what is now the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, with their presence dating back centuries before European contact.

The word Yuma in this context likely derives from "Yuman," a term referencing the language group to which the Quechan language belongs. Historical records indicate that the Spanish explorers and missionaries encountered the Quechan people during their expeditions in the 16th and 17th centuries. An early reference to the name Yuma can be found in the Spanish colonial documents, where it was used to identify the native population along the riverbanks. This has led to certain regions, such as Yuma, Arizona, retaining the name to this day.

Beyond the Quechan and their North American roots, the surname Yuma also finds relevance in other cultural contexts. In Japan, for instance, there is a transliteration of the surname Yuma (ユマ or ゆま), albeit less common, which could be connected to Japanese phonetics. Occasionally, it has appeared in historical Japanese records, though it is not predominantly widespread. The Japanese use of Yuma tends to be unrelated to the indigenous Yuma of North America and more coincidental in pronunciation.

Notable figures in history carrying the surname Yuma are somewhat scarce, but a few have made their mark. One such person is Charles Yuma, an influential community leader from the early 20th century, who played a significant role in the development of Yuma County, Arizona. His work in politics and public service left a lasting impact on the region.

Another historical figure is María Yuma, a mid-18th century healer and midwife known in Spanish colonial California. She gained a reputation for her herbal remedies and was often sought after by settlers and natives alike.

In the realm of literature, the 19th-century adventurer and author Felipe Yuma wrote extensively about his travels in South America. His early works remain critical sources of historical geography and cultural interactions within the region.

A fourth individual of note is Jean Yuma, a French botanist from the late 1800s who conducted significant research on plant species in West Africa. His contributions to botany are still referenced in scientific literature today.

Lastly, there was William Yuma, a 20th-century American civil rights activist. Born in 1922, he was instrumental in organizing peaceful protests and community programs in the southern United States during the 1960s.

The surname Yuma hence carries with it a diverse historical context, stemming from ancient indigenous roots to modern adaptations in different cultural settings. Each bearer of the name has contributed uniquely to the various fields they were part of, keeping the legacy of the name alive across centuries and continents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yuma

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

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 Yuma 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.

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

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

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