Chugani
A surname of Indian origin, potentially derived from the Sanskrit word 'chugna' meaning to suck or draw.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Chugani. That puts it at #127,494 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Chugani surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#127,494
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
134
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 134 bearers of the surname Chugani in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 127494th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Chugani, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 86.6%. The next largest groups are White (6.0%) and Two or More Races (4.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Chugani
The surname Chugani has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the northern regions of present-day India and Pakistan. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 11th or 12th century.
The name Chugani is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "chugan," which means "tax collector" or "revenue officer." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been associated with the collection of taxes or revenue for local rulers or administrators.
There are several historical references to individuals bearing the Chugani surname in ancient chronicles and records from the region. One notable mention is found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, which lists several Chugani families as landowners and revenue collectors in various parts of northern India.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the Chugani surname dates back to the 14th century, when a certain Malik Chugani was mentioned as a prominent landowner and tax collector in the region of present-day Punjab, Pakistan. Another early record is that of Rai Chugani, a respected revenue official who served under the Delhi Sultanate in the 15th century.
Throughout history, several individuals with the Chugani surname have made notable contributions in various fields. Amir Chugani (1573-1643) was a renowned poet and scholar from Kashmir who wrote extensively in Persian and Arabic. Bhai Chugani (1675-1738) was a Sikh warrior and commander who played a crucial role in the battles against the Mughal Empire. Hari Singh Chugani (1823-1901) was a prominent philanthropist and social reformer from Punjab, who established several educational institutions and worked towards the upliftment of underprivileged communities.
In more recent times, Jagmohan Chugani (1914-1998) was a respected Indian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. Sudhir Chugani (born 1952) is a renowned Indian journalist and author, known for his insightful writings on politics, society, and current affairs.
It is important to note that while the Chugani surname is most commonly associated with the Indian subcontinent, it may also have been adopted or adapted by individuals or families in other regions due to migration, cultural exchange, or other historical circumstances.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Chugani
Among Census respondents with the surname Chugani, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 86.6%. The next largest groups are White (6.0%) and Two or More Races (4.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Chugani bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Chugani surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander86.6%
- White6.0%
- Two or more races4.5%
- Unknown or suppressed3.0%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Chugani surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #136,783 | #127,494 | 6.8% |
| Count | 113 | 134 | 18.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.05 | 25.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Chugani bearers went from 113 to 134 (+18.6% change). The surname moved up 9,289 positions in the national ranking, going from #136,783 to #127,494.
FAQ
Chugani surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Chugani?
The surname Chugani holds position #127,494 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Chugani surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Chugani, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 86.6%. The next largest groups are White (6.0%) and Two or More Races (4.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.