Explore the Family Name Kama
The meaning of Kama
1. Polish: unexplained. 2. Jewish (Israeli): from Biblical Hebrew kama ‘standing grain’ (see Isaiah 17:5). This is probably a Hebraicized form of some unknown surname. 3. Turkish: ornamental name, nickname or metonymic occupational name from kama ‘wedge’, also ‘dagger (with a sharp long blade)’. 4. Indian (Andhra Pradesh): Kamma (agrarian) name, from Sanskrit karma ‘work, activity’, presumably originating as a nickname or occupational name. 5. West African (Senegal): name found among the Serer people, of unexplained etymology. 6. West African (Nigeria): unexplained.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Kama in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Kama saw a slight increase between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Kama was ranked 42,363rd in popularity, but by 2010 it moved up to 40,432nd, a change of 4.56 percent. The count of individuals with this surname also increased from 482 in 2000 to 541 in 2010, reflecting a growth of 12.24 percent. However, the proportion per 100,000 people remained steady at 0.18 both years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #42,363 | #40,432 | 4.56% |
| Count | 482 | 541 | 12.24% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kama
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates a shift within the population carrying the Kama surname. In 2000, 49.17 percent of Kamars identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, but by 2010 this percentage had dropped to 37.89, a decrease of 22.94 percent. Conversely, those identifying as having two or more ethnic identities saw an increase from 18.67 percent in 2000 to 25.69 percent in 2010, marking a considerable rise of 37.60 percent. The white population remained relatively stable, with a negligible decrease from 22.20 percent to 22.18 percent. The percentage of black individuals increased from 5.81 percent to 7.95 percent, a significant growth of 36.83 percent. No changes were noted in the Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native populations.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 49.17% | 37.89% | -22.94% |
| Two or More Races | 18.67% | 25.69% | 37.6% |
| White | 22.2% | 22.18% | -0.09% |
| Black | 5.81% | 7.95% | 36.83% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |