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

Ba, 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 Ba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ba in America

Ba is the 12627th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ba surname appeared 2,451 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Ba.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ba 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 Ba

The surname "Ba" is believed to have originated in China, with its roots dating back to the 5th century AD. It is derived from the Old Chinese word "bā," which means "prosperous" or "flourishing." This name was initially associated with families from the Guangdong and Fujian provinces in southern China.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the name "Ba" appeared in various official records and manuscripts, indicating its presence among the upper echelons of society. One notable mention is found in the "Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government," a historical text compiled during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD).

The earliest recorded individual bearing the surname "Ba" was Bā Jìngyán, a renowned Confucian scholar and poet who lived from 767 to 830 AD. He was known for his contributions to the literary and philosophical circles of his time.

In the 13th century, the name "Ba" was associated with the town of Bāzhōu, located in present-day Sichuan province. This place name likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in that region.

Throughout Chinese history, several prominent figures have carried the surname "Ba." One such individual was Bā Jīn (1904-2005), a celebrated writer and playwright who is considered one of the foremost authors of the 20th century in China.

Another notable bearer of the name was Bā Rénxǐng (1720-1797), a revered Qing Dynasty scholar and artist renowned for his expertise in calligraphy, poetry, and painting.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the name "Ba" was also associated with the town of Bāzhōuchéng in Hebei province. This place name was sometimes used as a surname by locals, leading to variations like "Bazhou" and "Bazhoucheng."

The name "Ba" has also been recorded in other parts of Asia, such as Vietnam, where it is sometimes spelled as "Bà" or "Bạ." In Vietnam, the name is believed to have originated from Chinese immigrants who settled in the country during various periods throughout history.

While the surname "Ba" is not as common as some other Chinese surnames, it has a rich historical legacy and has been carried by numerous notable individuals over the centuries, contributing to the cultural and intellectual fabric of China and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ba

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

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

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

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