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

Basnet, 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 Basnet surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Basnet in America

Basnet is the 26126th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Basnet surname appeared 937 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 Basnet.

The history of the last name Basnet

The surname BASNET originated in Nepal and traces its roots back to the Newar community, an indigenous ethnic group that has inhabited the Kathmandu Valley for centuries. The name is derived from the Newari word "Bansā," which means "bamboo" or "bamboo grove," reflecting the region's lush vegetation and the importance of bamboo in Newar culture.

In the medieval period, the Newars were renowned for their craftsmanship, particularly in metalworking and wood carving. Many Newar families adopted surnames based on their occupations or areas of expertise, with BASNET potentially referring to those involved in the bamboo trade or bamboo-related crafts.

One of the earliest documented references to the BASNET surname can be found in the "Gopalarajavamsavali," a manuscript dating back to the 14th century that chronicles the history of the Nepalese royal dynasty. This manuscript mentions several individuals with the BASNET surname, suggesting the name's longstanding presence in the region.

Notable individuals with the BASNET surname include Prakash Basnet, a celebrated Nepalese playwright and poet born in 1918, whose works explored themes of social justice and cultural identity. Another prominent figure is Shanta Basnet, born in 1935, a renowned Nepalese artist known for her vibrant paintings depicting Nepalese culture and traditions.

In the realm of sports, Rohit Basnet, born in 1992, is a Nepalese cricketer who has represented his country in various international tournaments. Sushil Basnet, born in 1970, is a distinguished Nepalese journalist and author who has written extensively on human rights and environmental issues.

The BASNET surname has also been associated with historical landmarks and place names in Nepal. For instance, the Basnet Bazaar in Kathmandu is a bustling market area that has existed for centuries, showcasing the deep-rooted connection between the name and the region's cultural fabric.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Basnet

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

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

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

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