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

Ayana, 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 Ayana surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ayana in America

Ayana is the 106096th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ayana surname appeared 168 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 Ayana.

The history of the last name Ayana

The surname Ayana is believed to have originated in India, with roots tracing back several centuries. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "ayana," which means "path" or "course." The name was likely adopted by individuals or families associated with travel, navigation, or astrology, as the word "ayana" also refers to the solstices and equinoxes in Hindu astronomy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ayana can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Vedas and Puranas. These references suggest that the name was in use among scholars, priests, and astronomers during the Vedic period, which spanned from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE.

In the medieval period, the Ayana surname appeared in various regional records and chronicles, particularly in areas that are now part of modern-day India and Pakistan. For instance, the name is mentioned in the Rajput annals of Mewar, a region in present-day Rajasthan, where it was associated with families of notable warriors and rulers.

Prominent individuals bearing the Ayana surname include Bhaskaracharya (1114-1185 CE), a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of calculus. Another noteworthy figure was Ayana Lakshmi Devi (1849-1920), a pioneering Indian social reformer and activist who fought for women's rights and education.

During the Mughal era, the Ayana surname was also found among Muslim communities, possibly adopted by individuals who converted from Hinduism or intermarried with Hindu families. One such individual was Mir Ayana Bahadur (1630-1685), a Mughal courtier and military commander who served under Emperor Aurangzeb.

In more recent history, the Ayana surname has been associated with notable figures like Ayana Mathur (1918-2010), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer renowned for her contributions to the Kathak dance form, and Ayana Ghosh (born 1975), a contemporary Indian artist and sculptor.

While the Ayana surname has its roots in India, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the earliest and most significant historical references to this surname can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent, where it has a rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ayana

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

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 Ayana 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.

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 Ayana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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