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

Chala, 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 Chala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chala in America

Chala is the 97210th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chala surname appeared 187 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 Chala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chala 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 Chala

The surname CHALA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of India and Pakistan. This name has its roots dating back to the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest theories suggests that the name CHALA is derived from the Sanskrit word "chāla," which means "to move" or "to shake." This could potentially indicate that the name was initially associated with nomadic or traveling communities who frequently moved from one place to another.

Another possibility is that the name CHALA is derived from the word "chāl," which means "behavior" or "conduct" in several Indian languages, including Hindi and Punjabi. This could suggest that the name was initially given to individuals known for their distinctive personalities or behavior.

During the Mughal era, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th century, the name CHALA can be found in various historical records and manuscripts, indicating its presence among the diverse population of the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name CHALA dates back to the 16th century, when a renowned poet and scholar named Chala Devi graced the royal court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Her poetic works and contributions to literature have been celebrated throughout history.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Chala Singh played a significant role in the Sikh resistance against the Mughal Empire. His bravery and leadership during the struggle for independence are well-documented in historical accounts.

Another notable bearer of the surname CHALA was Chala Lal, a renowned artist and calligrapher who lived during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in the early 17th century. His intricate calligraphic works and paintings adorned the walls of many imperial palaces and are still admired today.

In the realm of Indian classical music, the name CHALA is associated with the renowned singer and musician Chala Vyas, who lived in the 19th century. His contributions to the tradition of Hindustani classical music have left an indelible mark on the art form.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the legacy of Chala Bibi, a powerful and influential noble woman who lived during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the late 17th century. She played a crucial role in the political affairs of the empire and is remembered for her diplomatic skills and influential presence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chala

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

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

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

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