Explore the Family Name Ama
The meaning of Ama
1. Italian: perhaps from a short form of a personal name such as Amadeo. 2. Japanese: found mostly in central Japan; often written 天 ‘heaven’ or 尼 ‘Buddhist nun’ but also phonetically as 阿間, 阿磨, or 安満. 3. West African (Nigeria): from the Igbo personal name Ama, from a topographic term meaning literally ‘compound’ (i.e. the enclosure within which an Igbo residence stands).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Ama in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname "Ama" has grown in popularity over time. In 2000, it ranked 74,398 in terms of frequency, but by 2010 it had jumped to 57,781—an increase of 22.34 percent. The actual count of individuals with this surname also increased from 242 to 352 during this same period, a significant growth of 45.45 percent. Per 100,000 people, those bearing the surname "Ama" rose from 0.09 to 0.12, marking an increase of 33.33 percent.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #74,398 | #57,781 | 22.34% |
| Count | 242 | 352 | 45.45% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.09 | 0.12 | 33.33% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ama
Looking at the ethnic identity linked to the surname "Ama", the data from the Decennial U.S. Census indicates notable shifts between 2000 and 2010. The proportion of individuals identified as Asian/Pacific Islander grew from 23.55 to 29.26 percent, an increase of 24.25 percent. However, there was a complete drop in the category of 'Two or more races' from 12.81 to 0 percent. The percentage of White individuals slightly decreased from 34.71 to 34.09 percent. Similarly, the Hispanic segment showed a minor decrease from 12.40 to 11.93 percent. Interestingly, the Black population with the surname "Ama" saw a robust growth from 16.53 to 20.74 percent, a rise of 25.47 percent. There were no recorded individuals identified as American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 34.71% | 34.09% | -1.79% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 23.55% | 29.26% | 24.25% |
| Black | 16.53% | 20.74% | 25.47% |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 11.93% | -3.79% |
| Two or More Races | 12.81% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |