Explore the Family Name Soma
The meaning of Soma
1. Japanese (Sōma): written 相馬 ‘mutual’ and ‘horse’. It is a habitational name taken from a village in Shimōsa (now part of Chiba prefecture) and is found mostly in eastern Japan. Bearers are of Taira lineage, some being descended from the famous 10th-century rebel Masakado. 2. Norwegian: habitational name from a farm named Soma in Rogaland, in Old Norse Sómi, of unexplained etymology. Some characteristic forenames: Japanese Daisuke, Hiroshi, Izumi, Keigo, Kuniko, Nobuo, Osamu, Seiichi, Tadashi, Yasuhiro, Yoshiro.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Soma in the United States?
The surname Soma has seen a slight increase in popularity in the United States, based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, Soma ranked 26,614 in popularity, but by 2010 it had climbed to 25,459, indicating a 4.34% increase. The total number of people with the surname also grew from 861 in 2000 to 971 in 2010, marking a 12.78% growth. The proportion of people named Soma per 100,000 individuals modestly rose from 0.32 to 0.33 during this decade, showing a 3.13% rise.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26,614 | #25,459 | 4.34% |
| Count | 861 | 971 | 12.78% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.32 | 0.33 | 3.13% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Soma
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census shows that the distribution among those bearing the Soma surname has diversified somewhat over time. In 2000, the majority of individuals with this surname identified as White (66.67%). However, by 2010, this percentage had dropped by 11.17% to 59.22%. Meanwhile, the proportion of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and of two or more races saw increases of 18.10% and 25.42% respectively. There was also a noticeable increase in the Hispanic segment, which rose by 28.99%. The Black, American Indian, and Alaskan Native categories each maintained a consistent presence of zero throughout this period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 66.67% | 59.22% | -11.17% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 22.76% | 26.88% | 18.1% |
| Two or More Races | 4.76% | 5.97% | 25.42% |
| Hispanic | 4.07% | 5.25% | 28.99% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |