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

Bajaj, 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 Bajaj surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bajaj in America

Bajaj is the 19567th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bajaj surname appeared 1,379 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 Bajaj.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bajaj 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 Bajaj

The surname BAJAJ originated in India, with records of the name dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "vanij," meaning "merchant" or "trader." The name was initially associated with the Vaishya community, one of the four traditional social classes in Hinduism, known for their involvement in trade and business activities.

The BAJAJ surname was particularly prevalent in the northern and western regions of India, including the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. In some historical documents, the name was also spelled as "Bajaj," "Bajaaj," or "Bajaji," reflecting local variations in pronunciation and scribal practices.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the BAJAJ name can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text lists several individuals with the surname BAJAJ as serving in various administrative and financial roles within the Mughal Empire.

In the 18th century, the BAJAJ family gained prominence in the city of Marwar (present-day Jodhpur, Rajasthan), where they established themselves as successful merchants and businessmen. Notably, Shri Shiv Narayan Bajaj (1730-1795) was a prominent figure in the region, known for his entrepreneurial acumen and philanthropic endeavors.

Another notable individual with the BAJAJ surname was Jamnalal Bajaj (1884-1942), a prominent industrialist and freedom fighter from Maharashtra. He played a significant role in India's independence movement and was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Jamnalal Bajaj's grandson, Rahul Bajaj (1938-2022), carried forward the family's industrial legacy and was the former chairman of the Bajaj Group, a leading Indian conglomerate.

In the literary realm, Naina Devi Bajaj (1936-2022) was a renowned Hindi poet and writer, recognized for her contributions to modern Hindi literature. She received numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.

The BAJAJ surname has also been associated with academic and scientific achievements. Vishnu Hari Bajaj (1936-2022) was a prominent Indian physicist and educator, known for his contributions to the field of semiconductor physics and his role in establishing several scientific institutions in India.

While the BAJAJ surname has its roots in India's mercantile and business communities, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions across various fields, leaving an indelible mark on the country's history and cultural landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bajaj

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

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

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

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