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

Chhaya, 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 Chhaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chhaya in America

Chhaya is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chhaya surname appeared 122 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 Chhaya.

The history of the last name Chhaya

The surname CHHAYA is of Indian origin, deriving from the Sanskrit word "chhaya" which translates to "shadow" or "shade." It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in areas now encompassed by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the CHHAYA surname can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often used as a metaphorical reference to the concept of divine protection or the manifestation of divine energy. In some texts, it was also associated with the concept of illusion or the veil that separates the material world from the spiritual realm.

During the medieval period, the CHHAYA surname appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, particularly those pertaining to the ruling dynasties and affluent families of the time. One notable example is the Chhaya clan, a prominent Rajput lineage that held significant influence in the region of Mewar (now part of Rajasthan) during the 15th and 16th centuries.

The earliest known individual bearing the CHHAYA surname was Rani Chhaya Devi, a 14th-century queen consort of the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar. She was renowned for her patronage of the arts and her involvement in the construction of several architectural marvels, including the iconic Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) in Chittorgarh.

Another prominent figure with the CHHAYA surname was Raja Chhaya Singh, a 16th-century ruler of the Rathore clan in the region of Marwar (now part of Rajasthan). He was celebrated for his military prowess and his efforts in expanding the territorial boundaries of his kingdom.

In the realm of literature, the CHHAYA surname found its way into the works of several celebrated poets and writers. One notable example is the 17th-century Awadhi poet Chhayanat, whose compositions explored themes of devotion, love, and spirituality.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the CHHAYA surname was also associated with several prominent figures in the fields of education, religion, and social reform. One such individual was Pandit Chhaya Sharan Shukla, a 19th-century scholar and educator who played a pivotal role in the revival of Sanskrit studies in northern India.

As the CHHAYA surname spread across different regions of India, it underwent various spelling variations and adaptations, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural influences of the subcontinent. Some of these variations included Chhaya, Chhaiya, and Chhayal, among others.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chhaya

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

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

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

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