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

Chandara, 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 Chandara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chandara in America

Chandara is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chandara surname appeared 134 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 Chandara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chandara 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 Chandara

The surname CHANDARA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, with its roots tracing back to the Sanskrit language. The name is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Chandra," which means "moon" or "bright." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who possessed a luminous or radiant appearance.

In ancient Indian texts and manuscripts, the name CHANDARA can be found referenced as early as the 5th century BCE. One notable mention is in the Mahabharata, a legendary Sanskrit epic that recounts the tales of the Kuru dynasty and the great war of Kurukshetra. Here, the name appears as a character in the epic, though the specific details surrounding their role are unclear.

The earliest documented records of individuals bearing the surname CHANDARA date back to the 11th century CE, during the reign of the Chola dynasty in southern India. Historical accounts mention a prominent figure named Chandara Devi, who was a respected scholar and advisor to the Chola king Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 CE). Her contributions to the royal court and patronage of the arts and literature were widely celebrated during her time.

As the name traveled across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, it underwent various spelling variations, including Chandra, Chundara, and Chandura. These variations can be found in ancient texts, inscriptions, and records from different regions, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the subcontinent.

One notable historical figure who bore the surname CHANDARA was Chandara Gupta Maurya (340-298 BCE), the founder of the Maurya Empire and one of the most influential rulers of ancient India. His reign marked a significant period of political and cultural unification across the subcontinent, and his achievements in governance and administration were widely celebrated.

Another prominent individual was Chandara Shekhar (c. 1347-1345 CE), a ruler of the Tughluq dynasty who briefly ruled the Delhi Sultanate. Despite his short reign, he is remembered for his efforts to consolidate power and defend the sultanate against external threats.

In the realm of literature, Chandara Dutta (1572-1648 CE) was a renowned Bengali poet and philosopher. His works, such as the Gita Govinda, are considered masterpieces of medieval Bengali literature and have had a lasting impact on the region's cultural heritage.

Beyond the Indian subcontinent, the name CHANDARA has also been documented in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and cultural exchanges. For instance, historical records from the 17th century mention a merchant named Chandara Bhai, who was part of the vibrant trade networks connecting the Indian Ocean region with Southeast Asia.

Throughout its long history, the surname CHANDARA has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from rulers and scholars to poets and merchants. Despite its variations in spelling, the name's roots in the Sanskrit language and its association with luminosity and brilliance have remained a consistent thread across different regions and time periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chandara

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

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

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

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