Explore the Family Name Kanak
The meaning of Kanak
Czech (Kaňák): 1. nickname for a gossip, from a diminutive of káň (see Kan 8). 2. nickname from a diminutive of káně ‘buzzard’. (see Kan 9).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Kanak in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Kanak stands at rank 50,771 in 2010, compared to its previous rank of 49,563 in 2000. This represents a slight decrease in popularity by 2.44%. However, the number of individuals with the surname Kanak saw a modest increase from 398 in 2000 to 411 in 2010, marking a growth of 3.27%. The proportion per 100k people dropped by 6.67% from 0.15 in 2000 to 0.14 in 2010, indicating that while the count has increased, the overall representation of this surname in the population has declined.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #49,563 | #50,771 | -2.44% |
| Count | 398 | 411 | 3.27% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.15 | 0.14 | -6.67% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kanak
When it comes to ethnic identity data gathered from the Decennial U.S. Census, the majority of individuals with the surname Kanak identified as White, although there was a slight decrease from 97.74% in 2000 to 95.62% in 2010. The percentage identifying as belonging to two or more races rose from 1.26% to 1.46% during the same period, showing an increase of 15.87%. In 2010, some individuals began identifying as Hispanic, which was not the case in 2000. There were no individuals with the Kanak surname who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.74% | 95.62% | -2.17% |
| Two or More Races | 1.26% | 1.46% | 15.87% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 1.22% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |