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

Balanta, 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 Balanta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Balanta in America

Balanta is the 145220th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Balanta surname appeared 114 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 Balanta.

The history of the last name Balanta

The surname Balanta has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of West Bengal, India. It is believed to have emerged during the 14th century, derived from the Bengali word "balanta," which translates to "wanderer" or "nomad." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with a nomadic tribe or group that roamed the area.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Balanta surname can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar. This text provides detailed information about the various castes, communities, and occupations present in the region during that time period.

In the 17th century, the Balanta name appeared in several historical documents and records related to the East India Company's activities in Bengal. Some notable individuals bearing this surname from that era include Govinda Balanta (1625-1692), a renowned trader and merchant, and Shyama Balanta (1645-1711), a respected scholar and writer.

As the British Empire expanded its influence in India, the Balanta family name spread to other parts of the subcontinent. In the late 18th century, Ramakrishna Balanta (1776-1842) was a prominent figure in the Bengal Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement that challenged traditional norms and advocated for social reforms.

During the 19th century, the Balanta surname gained recognition in the field of literature. Rabindranath Balanta (1861-1941), a celebrated poet, writer, and philosopher, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, becoming the first non-European to receive this prestigious honor.

Another notable figure was Subhash Chandra Balanta (1897-1945), a revolutionary leader who played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence from British rule. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Indian history.

Throughout its history, the Balanta surname has been associated with various professions, including academics, writers, artists, and social reformers. While the name originated in West Bengal, it has since spread to other parts of India and beyond, carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Balanta

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

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

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

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