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

Chava, 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 Chava surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chava in America

Chava is the 78567th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chava surname appeared 243 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 Chava.

The history of the last name Chava

The surname CHAVA finds its roots in India, originating from the Sanskrit word 'Chav' which means 'to move' or 'to wander'. It is believed to have emerged in the 5th century CE, during the Gupta Empire, when nomadic tribes roamed the Indian subcontinent.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often used to refer to wandering ascetics or nomadic communities. In the 9th century CE, the name appears in the 'Rajatarangini', a historical chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, mentioning a clan called 'Chavas' who were known for their nomadic lifestyle.

During the Mughal Empire, which ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century, the name CHAVA was commonly found among the nomadic pastoral communities of the region, particularly in the northern states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is also believed that some of the earliest settlers in the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh bore this surname.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname CHAVA was Chava Bhai, a 13th-century Gujarati poet and mystic, who is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Bhakti movement in India. Another notable figure was Chava Singh, a 17th-century warrior and chieftain from Rajasthan, who fought against the Mughal Empire and is celebrated for his bravery and resistance.

In the 18th century, the name CHAVA gained prominence in the region of Punjab, where it was associated with the Sikh community. Chava Singh Gheba, a renowned Sikh warrior and general who served under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was born in 1779 and is remembered for his military exploits and leadership.

During the British Raj in India, the name CHAVA was also found among the trading communities, particularly in the western regions of the country. One notable figure was Chava Lal, a 19th-century businessman and philanthropist from Gujarat, who made significant contributions to the development of education and social welfare in his region.

Throughout its history, the surname CHAVA has been associated with a nomadic and adventurous spirit, reflecting the wandering roots of its bearers. While it may have evolved and taken on various spellings and regional variations, the essence of this name remains deeply rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chava

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

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

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

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