Find out how popular the last name Ashok is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ashok.

Ashok, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ashok surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ashok in America

Ashok is the 51941st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ashok surname appeared 400 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ashok.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ashok to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ashok

The surname "ASHOK" has its origins in India, derived from the Sanskrit word "Ashoka," which means "one who is without sorrow" or "free from grief." This name has a rich historical significance in Indian culture and tradition.

The name can be traced back to the 3rd century BCE, during the reign of the Mauryan Empire. One of the most famous figures associated with this name is Ashoka the Great, a powerful ruler who governed a vast territory spanning from present-day Afghanistan to Bangladesh. Ashoka embraced Buddhism and played a pivotal role in its spread throughout ancient India and beyond.

Early records of the name can be found in various ancient Indian texts and inscriptions, such as the Ashokan rock edicts and pillars that were erected across the Indian subcontinent. These edicts provide insights into Ashoka's governance, his principles, and his efforts to promote social welfare and non-violence.

During the medieval period, the name "ASHOK" continued to be prevalent among various Hindu communities, particularly in regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of North India. It was often associated with individuals of high social standing or those who possessed noble qualities.

One notable individual bearing this surname was Ashok Singhal, an influential Hindu nationalist leader who played a significant role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late 20th century. He was born in 1926 and passed away in 2015.

Another prominent figure was Ashok Kumar, an actor and producer who made significant contributions to Indian cinema during the 20th century. He was born in 1911 and had a successful career spanning over six decades, starring in numerous critically acclaimed films.

In the field of literature, Ashok Vajpeyi, an acclaimed Indian poet, essayist, and literary critic, was born in 1941 and has received numerous accolades for his literary works, including the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Ashok Leyland, a renowned Indian automobile manufacturer, was founded in 1948 and has since become a major player in the commercial vehicle industry, both in India and internationally. The company's name is closely associated with the surname "ASHOK."

Additionally, Ashok Gehlot, an Indian politician and the current Chief Minister of Rajasthan, has been a prominent figure in Indian politics for several decades. He was born in 1951 and has held various leadership positions within the Indian National Congress party.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ashok

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ashok.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ashok was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ashok has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ashok was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ashok, please contact us.

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