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

Bhanji, 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 Bhanji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bhanji in America

Bhanji is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bhanji surname appeared 111 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 Bhanji.

The history of the last name Bhanji

The surname Bhanji originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Sindhi-speaking regions of present-day Pakistan and India. The name is derived from the Sindhi word "bhanja," which means nephew or son-in-law.

In the past, Sindhi families often bestowed this surname upon their nephews or sons-in-law as a way of welcoming them into the family and establishing a strong bond. It was a common practice among the Sindhi community, particularly in the regions of Sindh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

The earliest known recorded instances of the surname Bhanji can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in various local records and documents. One notable example is the mention of a merchant named Lakhpat Bhanji in a trade register from the city of Thatta, which was a prominent port in Sindh during the Mughal Era.

Over the centuries, the Bhanji surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded was Shri Hirji Bhanji, a wealthy trader and philanthropist who lived in the 18th century. He is known for founding the Shri Hirji Bhanji Charitable Trust, which continues to operate in Sindh to this day.

Another prominent figure was Sir Khawaja Ghulam Husain Bhanji, a renowned scholar and politician who was born in 1868 in Shikarpur, Sindh. He played a significant role in the independence movement of India and served as a member of the Imperial Legislative Council.

In the 20th century, Ardeshir Bhanji Vakil, born in 1906, was a prominent Indian jurist and legal scholar. He served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and played a crucial role in shaping the Indian legal system.

Razia Bhanji, born in 1924, was a pioneering Pakistani artist known for her abstract paintings and her contributions to the modern art movement in Pakistan. Her works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries around the world.

Lastly, Shyam Bhanji, born in 1951, is a renowned Indian-American businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the successful technology company Covad Communications and has been actively involved in various charitable initiatives, particularly in the field of education.

While the Bhanji surname has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the Sindhi community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bhanji

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

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

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

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