Explore the Family Name Kem
The meaning of Kem
1. German: occupational name for a comb maker, from Middle High German kam ‘comb’ (see Kamm). Alternatively, a variant of Kemme. 2. Cambodian: written កែម, corresponding to the Khmer word meaning e.g. ‘to improve’. 3. Cambodian: written កឹម, unexplained.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Kem in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Kem increased from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, Kem ranked 31,738 in popularity but rose to rank 30,250 by 2010, representing a 4.69% increase in rank. The total count of individuals with this surname also grew during this period, from 688 in 2000 to 774 in 2010, marking a 12.5% increase. However, the proportion per 100,000 people remained constant at 0.26.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #31,738 | #30,250 | 4.69% |
| Count | 688 | 774 | 12.5% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kem
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Kem also saw changes between 2000 and 2010 according to the Decennial U.S. Census. The percentage of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander increased from 49.27% to 52.97%, a 7.51% change. There was a significant increase in those identifying as Black, from 0.73% to 2.33%. However, the surname saw a decrease in those identifying as White, from 45.06% to 40.05%, and a slight decrease in individuals reporting two or more races, from 4.22% to 3.10%. The data for Hispanic and American Indian and Alaskan Native ethnicities remained suppressed for privacy.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 49.27% | 52.97% | 7.51% |
| White | 45.06% | 40.05% | -11.12% |
| Two or More Races | 4.22% | 3.1% | -26.54% |
| Black | 0.73% | 2.33% | 219.18% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |