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

Babu, 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 Babu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Babu in America

Babu is the 18478th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Babu surname appeared 1,496 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 Babu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Babu 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 Babu

The surname BABU has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, where it is believed to have emerged around the 15th century. It is derived from the Hindi/Urdu word "babu," which was initially used as a respectful form of address for men of wealth and status.

During the Mughal era in India, the term "babu" was commonly used to refer to Hindu gentlemen or landowners. Over time, it evolved into a surname adopted by families belonging to various social and professional backgrounds.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname BABU can be found in the historical records of the Maratha Empire, which ruled a large portion of the Indian subcontinent in the 17th and 18th centuries. The name appears in several administrative documents and tax records from that period.

A notable figure bearing the surname BABU was Babu Kunwar Singh (1788-1858), a renowned leader of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British East India Company. His bravery and leadership during the uprising earned him a place in the annals of Indian history.

Another prominent individual was Babu Rajendra Lal Mitra (1824-1891), a Bengali scholar and antiquarian who contributed significantly to the field of Indian archaeology and Indology. His extensive research and publications shed light on ancient Indian history and culture.

In the realm of literature, Babu Shyamapada Mukhopadhyay (1891-1964) was a renowned Bengali writer and journalist. His works, which included novels, short stories, and plays, explored various aspects of Bengali life and society.

The surname BABU has also been associated with influential political figures, such as Babu Jagjivan Ram (1908-1986), a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and a prominent figure in the fight for India's independence. He served as the Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister of India.

Another notable individual was Babu Bhagat Ram Madhoram (1894-1981), a social reformer and activist who fought against the practice of untouchability and advocated for the rights of the Dalit community in India.

While the surname BABU has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of the Indian region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Babu

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

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

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

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