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

Daya, 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 Daya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Daya in America

Daya is the 55121st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Daya surname appeared 373 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 Daya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Daya 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 Daya

The surname DAYA originated from the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions of Punjab and Rajasthan. It is believed to have roots in the Sanskrit language, with the word "daya" meaning mercy, compassion, or kindness. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals who exemplified these qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname DAYA can be traced back to the 16th century in the Mughal Empire's court records. During this period, there were several notable individuals bearing this surname, such as Daya Ram, a renowned poet and scholar who served under the Mughal emperor Akbar.

In the 17th century, the DAYA surname gained prominence in the Sikh community of Punjab. One notable figure was Bhai Daya Singh, a prominent Sikh warrior and companion of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Bhai Daya Singh played a crucial role in the battles against the Mughal forces and is celebrated for his bravery and devotion.

As the centuries progressed, the DAYA surname spread across various regions of India, and its bearers contributed to various fields, including literature, arts, and politics. One notable example is Ghanshyam Singh Daya, a renowned Hindi poet and writer who lived in the 20th century (1900-1973).

Another prominent figure with the DAYA surname was Sardar Khushwant Singh Daya, a highly respected politician and diplomat from Punjab. He served as the Governor of Assam and Nagaland during the 1960s and played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the region.

In the realm of sports, the DAYA surname has also left its mark. Virender Sehwag, a former Indian cricketer, was born as Virender Daya but adopted the surname Sehwag later in life. He is widely regarded as one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of cricket, known for his aggressive batting style and numerous record-breaking performances.

While the surname DAYA has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language and the values of compassion and kindness that it represents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Daya

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

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

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

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