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

Bara, 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 Bara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bara in America

Bara is the 15792nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bara surname appeared 1,844 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 Bara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bara 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 Bara

The surname Bara has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "vara," which means "excellent" or "superior."

In ancient Indian texts and manuscripts, the name Bara can be found mentioned in various contexts. One notable reference is in the Puranic literature, where it is associated with individuals of great valor and wisdom. The name has also been recorded in historical chronicles and genealogical records of prominent families from the region.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Bara was Raja Bara Singh, a renowned warrior and ruler of the Bara clan in the 16th century. His legacy is celebrated in local folklore and oral traditions, and his name is often invoked as a symbol of courage and leadership.

Another significant figure bearing the Bara surname was Guru Angad Dev, the second Guru of the Sikh faith, who lived from 1504 to 1552. He was born as Lehna Bara and played a pivotal role in the development and spread of Sikhism during his lifetime.

In the 17th century, the Bara surname gained prominence through the military exploits of Bhai Bara Singh, a revered Sikh warrior who fought against the Mughal Empire. His bravery and devotion to the faith have been immortalized in various historical accounts and literary works.

During the 18th century, the Bara clan held significant influence in the region of Punjab, with several notable chieftains and landowners bearing the surname. One such figure was Sardar Bara Singh, a powerful landowner and military commander who played a crucial role in the consolidation of Sikh power during that period.

Throughout the centuries, the Bara surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, poets, and artists. For instance, the renowned Punjabi poet and writer Dhani Ram Bara, who lived in the 19th century, made significant contributions to the literary heritage of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bara

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

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

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

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