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

Balakrishna, 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 Balakrishna surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Balakrishna in America

Balakrishna is the 123796th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Balakrishna surname appeared 139 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 Balakrishna.

The history of the last name Balakrishna

The surname Balakrishna has its origins in India, tracing back to ancient times. It is a Hindu name derived from the Sanskrit words 'bala' meaning strength or power, and 'krishna' referring to the Hindu deity Lord Krishna. The name is primarily found in the southern states of India, particularly in the regions of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Balakrishna is believed to have been used as a surname among the Brahmin community, who were traditionally scholars, priests, and intellectuals. The name may have been adopted by families associated with religious or scholarly pursuits, signifying their reverence for Lord Krishna and their aspirations for strength and power.

Historical records suggest that the name Balakrishna appeared in various ancient texts and inscriptions, although specific dates and references are difficult to pinpoint with certainty. One notable individual bearing this surname was Balakrishna Udupa (1917-2008), a renowned Indian musician and composer from Karnataka, known for his contributions to Carnatic music.

Another prominent figure was Balakrishna Pillai (1516-1580), a renowned poet and scholar from Kerala who wrote extensively in the Malayalam language. His works, such as the Bhasha Prabandham, are considered literary masterpieces and have had a lasting impact on Malayalam literature.

In the field of art, Balakrishna Vijayam (1925-2017) was a celebrated Indian painter and sculptor from Andhra Pradesh. His works often depicted themes from Hindu mythology and traditional Indian art forms, earning him numerous accolades and recognition.

Balakrishna Menon (1897-1982) was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social reformer from Kerala. He played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of marginalized communities.

Another notable figure was Balakrishna Doshi (1927-2023), an Indian architect and recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2018. His architectural works, including the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, exemplified a unique blend of traditional Indian elements and modern design principles.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname Balakrishna throughout history, each making significant contributions to their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on Indian culture and society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Balakrishna

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

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

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

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