Wah — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Asian origin Rank #18,007 in the US 1,550 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#18,007
▲ Up 25456 since 2000
People in the US
1,550
0.53 per 100K people
Origin
Asian
Asian

Origin & Meaning of the Wah Surname

What does the last name Wah mean?

The surname Wah carries the meaning "Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin." It is derived from the Asian language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,550 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Wah ranks as the #18,007 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Wah come from?

The Wah surname has its roots in Asian heritage. Names of Asian origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Wah name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Wah trace back to Asian. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Asian Asian

Quick Facts

Surname Wah
Meaning Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin
Origin Asian
Language Asian
US Rank (2010) #18,007
US Count (2010) 1,550
Per 100K People 0.53
First Letter W

Ethnic Distribution of Wah

According to the US Census, the Wah surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,550 Americans with the Wah last name.

White 4.77%
Black 12.52%
Hispanic 2.65%
Asian/PI 74.84%
Native American 1.23%
Two+ Races 4.0%
Ethnic distribution of the Wah surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White4.77%
Black12.52%
Hispanic2.65%
Asian/Pacific Islander74.84%
Native American1.23%
Two or More Races4.0%

Popularity of Wah Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Wah surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#43,463
468 people
Up 25456
Census 2010
#18,007
1,550 people

The number of Americans with the Wah surname increased by 1,082 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Wah Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Wah ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Wah

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Wah.

Other Asian Surnames

Explore more surnames with Asian roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Asian origin as Wah.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wah

The surname Wah is of Asian origin. Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin
The surname Wah is ranked #18,007 in the United States with approximately 1,550 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin. The name has Asian roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Wah surname is distributed as: 12.5% Black, 74.8% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Wah ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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