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

Chao, 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 Chao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chao in America

Chao is the 3432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chao surname appeared 10,398 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Chao.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chao 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 Chao

The surname CHAO is believed to have originated in China, tracing its roots back to the 16th century or earlier. It is derived from the Chinese word "zhao," which means "bright" or "shining." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to individuals who possessed a radiant or brilliant demeanor or appearance.

In ancient Chinese records, the name CHAO can be found in various historical documents and manuscripts, including the Ming Dynasty archives. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname CHAO dates back to the late 16th century, when a scholar named CHAO Yuanfang (1550-1624) gained recognition for his contributions to literature and philosophy.

During the Qing Dynasty, the CHAO surname gained prominence in the region of Guangdong, particularly in the city of Shantou. This area was known for its thriving maritime trade and cultural exchanges, which may have contributed to the spread and adoption of the name among local families.

Notable individuals bearing the CHAO surname throughout history include CHAO Yuen Ren (1892-1982), a renowned linguist and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of the Chinese language and its dialects. Another prominent figure was CHAO Shu-li (1908-1975), a celebrated mathematician and physicist known for his work on the kinetic theory of gases and statistical mechanics.

In the realm of literature, CHAO Shao-an (1905-1998) was a prominent Chinese writer and poet whose works explored themes of love, nature, and social commentary. His poetic works and essays were widely celebrated and influential during the 20th century.

Beyond the borders of China, the CHAO surname has also been found in various parts of Southeast Asia, particularly in areas with strong cultural and historical ties to China. For instance, in Singapore, CHAO Tzee Cheng (1910-1993) was a respected businessman and philanthropist who played a pivotal role in the development of the city-state's education and social welfare systems.

While the CHAO surname has its roots in China, it has since spread across the globe, carried by individuals and families who have contributed to various fields, from academia and literature to business and philanthropy. The name continues to hold a rich heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the diverse histories and narratives that have shaped its journey.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chao

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

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

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

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