Kamara
A West African surname often linked to a traditional title or office, especially in Mande-speaking naming traditions.
The #5,530 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 49,101 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Kamara is widely found in West Africa, especially among Mande-speaking peoples. In many onomastic accounts it is connected with a traditional title, office, or social role rather than with a European-style occupational name. Because the surname is used across several languages and regions, the exact root and original sense can vary by local tradition.
History
The name is common in countries such as Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali, and neighboring parts of West Africa, and it spread more widely through migration. In modern usage it is a well-established family name and may reflect lineages, social status, or long-standing clan identity. English-language records often preserve the straightforward spelling Kamara, though pronunciation can vary by region and language.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Kamara is one of the surnames that appears both as a family name and, in some contexts, as a local title or lineage marker.