NameCensus.

UK surname

Kama

A surname of Sanskrit origin indicating a person who is desirous.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Kama surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 113, ranked #28,691, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Peterborough, Greenwich and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kama is 119 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

113

2016, ranked #28,691

Peak year

2014

119 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kama had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016, ranked #28,691.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Kama surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kama surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kama surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kama over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 17 #36,181
1998 modern 27 #35,148
1999 modern 30 #34,939
2000 modern 30 #34,885
2001 modern 29 #34,839
2002 modern 32 #34,790
2003 modern 37 #34,432
2004 modern 44 #34,053
2005 modern 53 #33,528
2006 modern 64 #32,839
2007 modern 69 #32,662
2008 modern 85 #31,247
2009 modern 93 #30,682
2010 modern 102 #29,930
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 109 #29,209
2014 modern 119 #27,813
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 113 #28,691

Geography

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Where Kamas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Peterborough, Greenwich, Hackney, Haringey and Enfield. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Peterborough 015 Peterborough
2 Greenwich 003 Greenwich
3 Hackney 009 Hackney
4 Haringey 016 Haringey
5 Enfield 025 Enfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kama

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kama surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kama

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kama, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Kama surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Kama household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Kama is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kama is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kama falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kama is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kama, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kama

The surname Kama is of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "kama" which means desire, love, or lust. It is believed to have originated during the medieval period in India, particularly in the northern regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Kama can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often associated with the Hindu god of love and desire, Kamadeva. The name was likely adopted by families or individuals who had a connection to the deity or were involved in activities related to love and desire.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Kama surname gained prominence in the region of Punjab, which was then under the rule of the Mughal Empire. Several notable individuals with the surname Kama are recorded in historical documents from this period, including Kama Singh (1530-1595), a renowned warrior and military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

In the 18th century, the Kama surname spread to other parts of India, particularly in the northern and central regions. One notable individual from this period was Kama Raju (1720-1790), a prominent landowner and philanthropist from the present-day state of Uttar Pradesh.

As the British East India Company established its presence in India during the 19th century, the Kama surname gained further recognition. Kama Nath (1825-1890), a successful businessman and trader from the city of Lucknow, was a significant figure during this time.

Another prominent individual with the surname Kama was Kama Devi (1855-1920), a social reformer and advocate for women's rights. She played a crucial role in establishing educational institutions for girls in northern India and campaigned against regressive social practices.

Throughout history, the Kama surname has been associated with various professions, from military leaders and landowners to businesspeople and social reformers. While the name has its roots in Sanskrit and ancient Hindu traditions, it has evolved and spread across different regions of India, becoming a part of the country's diverse cultural tapestry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kama families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kama surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 1 Kamas recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.40x.

County Total Index
Kent 1 30.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ramsgate in Kent leads with 1 Kamas recorded in 1881 and an index of 2000.00x.

Place Total Index
Ramsgate 1 2000.00x

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kama surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kama households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 1

FAQ

Kama surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kama surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Kama surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kama surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016. That gives Kama a modern rank of #28,691.

What does the Kama surname mean?

A surname of Sanskrit origin indicating a person who is desirous.

What does the Kama map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kama bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.