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

Dara, 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 Dara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dara in America

Dara is the 38948th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dara surname appeared 566 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 Dara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dara 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 Dara

The surname DARA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "dhara," which means "continuous flow" or "stream." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with families or individuals who lived near rivers or other water sources.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname DARA can be found in the 16th century, when it appeared in the Mughal Empire's administrative records. During this time, the name was often spelled as "Darra" or "Dhara," reflecting its Sanskrit roots. It is possible that the surname was adopted by individuals or families who came from areas with significant water sources, such as the Indus River or its tributaries.

In the 18th century, the DARA surname gained prominence when Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, became a prominent figure in the empire. Dara Shikoh was a renowned scholar, philosopher, and patron of the arts, and his name has been associated with the promotion of understanding between different religious and cultural traditions.

Another notable individual with the surname DARA was Maharaja Ranjit Singh's finance minister, Dara Singh Vahiria, who lived in the early 19th century. Dara Singh Vahiria played a crucial role in managing the finances and revenues of the Sikh Empire during Ranjit Singh's reign.

In more recent history, Dara Singh, an Indian wrestler and actor born in 1928, became a prominent figure in the world of sports entertainment. He was known for his impressive physique and successful career in both wrestling and Bollywood films.

Dara Torres, an American swimmer born in 1967, is another notable individual with the surname DARA. She is a 12-time Olympic medalist and has competed in five Olympic Games, making her one of the most successful and long-lasting athletes in Olympic history.

While the surname DARA has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its connection to the concept of water and its historical significance in regions like Punjab and the Mughal Empire remain an integral part of its heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dara

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

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

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

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