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

Bhavnani, 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 Bhavnani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bhavnani in America

Bhavnani is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bhavnani surname appeared 129 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 Bhavnani.

The history of the last name Bhavnani

The surname Bhavnani is of Indian origin, originating from the Sanskrit word 'bhavana', which means 'dwelling' or 'abode'. The name is believed to have originated in the northern regions of India, particularly in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, during the medieval period.

The earliest known reference to the name Bhavnani can be traced back to the 16th century, where it appears in several historical records and manuscripts. One notable mention is in the 'Ain-i-Akbari', a detailed administrative document commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar, which listed the names of various chieftains and landowners in the region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bhavnani was Rao Bhavnani Singh, a prominent feudal lord who ruled over the Bhavnani estate in the region of Mewar, Rajasthan, during the 17th century. His descendants carried on the family name, and the Bhavnani clan held significant influence in the region for several generations.

Another notable figure was Raja Bhavnani Mal, a renowned warrior and military commander who served under the Maratha ruler Shivaji in the 17th century. He played a crucial role in several battles against the Mughal forces and was celebrated for his bravery and strategic skills.

In the 18th century, the Bhavnani name gained prominence in the field of literature and arts. Pandit Bhavnani Prasad was a celebrated poet and scholar who authored several works in Sanskrit and Hindi, including the epic poem 'Bhavnani Ramayana', a retelling of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana.

During the 19th century, the Bhavnani family expanded their influence into the field of commerce and trade. Seth Bhavnani Das, a wealthy merchant from Rajasthan, established a successful trading empire and was known for his philanthropic endeavors, funding the construction of schools, hospitals, and temples in various parts of the region.

In more recent times, the Bhavnani surname has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, such as politics, academia, and the arts. Kiran Bhavnani, an Indian-American writer and academic, is known for her works exploring themes of identity, diaspora, and cultural intersections.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bhavnani

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

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

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

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