Explore the Family Name Chum
The meaning of Chum
1. Cambodian: written ជុំ, corresponding to the Khmer word meaning e.g. ‘to gather’ and, as a noun, e.g. ‘circle’. ជុំ may also be the Khmer spelling of an unidentified Chinese surname (compare below). Compare Chhum. 2. Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 覃, see Tan 2 or Qin 3. 3. Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 詹, possibly based on its Hokkien or Taiwanese pronunciation, and a variant Romanization of the surname 湛, possibly based on its Cantonese pronunciation; see Zhan 1 and 3. 4. Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 鄭, see Zheng 1. 5. Amerindian (Guatemala): unexplained. 6. English: unexplained. Chum is a presently Devonian dialect adjective meaning ‘surly’, but it is unclear whether that is relevant. This surname is rare in Britain. Some characteristic forenames: Cambodian Choun, Kong, Oeun, Sophal, Chean, Chen, Cheng, Chi Sing, Chhon, Choeun, Doeun, Duong, Heng, Loeuth, Ngim, On, Ouk, Pha, Pheap, Rin, Rong, Saroeun, Soeun, Soeuth, Sok, Tho, Thoai, Thoeun, Voeuth.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Chum in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Chum has seen an increase in popularity within the United States over a decade. In 2000, Chum was ranked as the 27,128th most common surname, with 839 individuals bearing this name. This equated to approximately 0.31 people per 100,000 population. By 2010, the rank had improved to 24,685 with a count of 1,011, and a proportion of 0.34 per 100,000 population. This represented a growth rate of 9.01% in terms of rank and a significant 20.5% increase in the count of individuals with the surname Chum.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #27,128 | #24,685 | 9.01% |
| Count | 839 | 1,011 | 20.5% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.31 | 0.34 | 9.68% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Chum
Regarding ethnic identity, the majority of individuals with the surname Chum identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, about 84.86% were from this ethnicity, growing to 86.94% by 2010, indicating a 2.45% increase. The number of those identifying as belonging to two or more races saw a dramatic decrease of 76.30%, falling from 7.51% in 2000 to only 1.78% in 2010. Persons with the Chum surname who identify as White also decreased by 26.11%. Interestingly, there was a notable rise in the Hispanic population, which climbed from 2.74% in 2000 to 7.52% in 2010, marking a substantial growth of 174.45%. However, no one with the Chum surname identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 84.86% | 86.94% | 2.45% |
| Hispanic | 2.74% | 7.52% | 174.45% |
| White | 4.29% | 3.17% | -26.11% |
| Two or More Races | 7.51% | 1.78% | -76.3% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |