Bana
A surname of Turkish origin meaning "with me" or "by me".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Bana. That puts it at #55,841 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bana surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#55,841
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
367
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 367 bearers of the surname Bana in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 55841st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bana, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 33.8%. The next largest groups are White (24.3%) and Black (24.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bana
The surname BANA is believed to have originated in India, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It is thought to have first emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. The name BANA is derived from the Sanskrit word "bana," which means "arrow" or "dart." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who were skilled archers or warriors.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BANA can be found in the Bana Bhatta, an ancient Sanskrit text composed by the poet and scholar Bana, who lived in the 7th century CE. In this work, the author recounts the exploits of King Harsha of Thanesar, providing valuable insights into the cultural and historical context of the time.
The BANA surname has also been linked to various place names in India, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. For example, the village of Banaras, now known as Varanasi, is believed to have been named after a ruler or notable figure with the surname BANA.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname BANA. One such figure is Bana Singh (1949-2022), an Indian Army officer who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, for his exceptional bravery during the 1987 Siachen Glacier conflict with Pakistan.
Another prominent BANA was Bhagwati Charan Bana (1875-1923), a renowned Indian writer and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of Hindi literature. His works, including "Bhakti Sudha" and "Nirjhar," explored themes of spirituality and devotion.
In the field of music, Pandit Brij Bhushan Bana (1921-1996) was a celebrated Indian classical vocalist and composer. He was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his contributions to the arts.
The BANA surname can also be found in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and diaspora communities. For instance, Dr. Anita Bana (1967-), an American physician and academic, is of Indian descent and has made significant contributions to the field of medical education.
While the origins of the BANA surname can be traced back to ancient India, its legacy has endured across generations and continents, with individuals bearing this name leaving their mark in various fields and cultures.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bana
Among Census respondents with the surname Bana, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 33.8%. The next largest groups are White (24.3%) and Black (24.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Bana bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bana surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander33.8%
- White24.3%
- Black or African American24.0%
- Hispanic or Latino15.0%
- Two or more races3.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bana surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #55,841 | #55,841 | 0.0% |
| Count | 367 | 367 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bana bearers went from 367 to 367 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #55,841 to #55,841.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bana
FAQ
Bana surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bana?
The surname Bana holds position #55,841 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bana surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bana, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 33.8%. The next largest groups are White (24.3%) and Black (24.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.