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

Zoma, 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 Zoma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zoma in America

Zoma is the 113791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zoma surname appeared 154 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 Zoma.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zoma 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 Zoma

The surname Zoma has its origins in the region of West Africa, specifically among the Akan people in what is now modern-day Ghana. The Akan people have a rich history dating back to the 13th century, which is when the name Zoma is first believed to have come into use. Zoma is derived from the Akan words "Zo," meaning "to come," and "Ma," meaning "to give" or "gift." This combination of words suggests that the name originally carried the meaning "one who is gifted" or "one who gives."

Historical references to the surname Zoma are sparse, but some early mentions can be traced in oral traditions and ancient manuscripts of the Akan people. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Zoma appears in an Akan family lineage document from the 16th century. This manuscript detailed the genealogy of several prominent Akan families, with the Zoma family being noted for their contributions to local governance and trade.

The surname Zoma has undergone various spellings and local adaptations over the centuries. In some documents from the 17th century, the name appeared as Zomah, indicating a phonetic variation that was influenced by different dialects within the region. As the Akan people migrated and interacted with neighboring tribes, the spelling and pronunciation of the name continued to evolve.

One notable historical figure with the surname Zoma was Kofi Zoma (1675-1742), a respected Akan chief who played a significant role in the unification of several Akan states. Another prominent individual was Yaa Zoma (1750-1820), a skilled healer and herbalist whose remedies were widely sought after in several Akan communities.

In the 19th century, the surname Zoma appeared in colonial records as European explorers and missionaries documented the people they encountered. One such instance was in the journals of British explorer Richard F. Burton, who mentioned a local leader named Kwame Zoma (1803-1865) in his writings on the Ashanti Kingdom.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname Zoma had spread beyond its Akan roots due to increased migration and intermarriage. One example is John Zoma (1892-1945), a Ghanaian nationalist who became a prominent figure in the fight for independence from British colonial rule. Another example is Nana Zoma Mensah (1900-1978), an influential educationist who played a key role in establishing modern schooling systems in Ghana.

Overall, the surname Zoma has a rich and varied history that reflects the cultural and historical developments of the Akan people and their descendants. Its meaning, "one who is gifted" or "one who gives," continues to be a source of pride for many who bear the name today.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zoma

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

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

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

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