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

Dhungel, 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 Dhungel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dhungel in America

Dhungel is the 67318th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dhungel surname appeared 293 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 Dhungel.

The history of the last name Dhungel

The surname DHUNGEL is believed to have originated in Nepal, with its roots tracing back several centuries. It is derived from the Nepali word "dhungo," which means stone or rock, and the suffix "-el," indicating a place or location. Thus, DHUNGEL likely referred to individuals who hailed from or lived in areas abundant with stones or rocky terrain.

Early records indicate that the DHUNGEL surname was prevalent among the Chhetri caste, a warrior community known for their bravery and military service. The name is often associated with the hilly regions of Nepal, particularly the districts of Baglung, Parbat, and Myagdi, where many families bearing this surname have traditionally resided.

One of the earliest documented references to the DHUNGEL name can be found in the Gorkhali military records from the late 18th century. During the unification campaigns led by Prithvi Narayan Shah, several DHUNGEL individuals were noted for their courage and loyalty on the battlefield.

Notable figures with the DHUNGEL surname include:

1. Kamal Dhungel (1915-1992), a prominent Nepali writer and poet, renowned for his contributions to modern Nepali literature.
2. Shiv Kumari Dhungel (1885-1975), a social activist and pioneer in women's education in Nepal, who established the first girls' school in Kathmandu.
3. Bhupi Sherchan Dhungel (1936-2017), a respected politician and diplomat, who served as Nepal's ambassador to several countries, including the United States.
4. Uttam Dhungel (1919-2002), a renowned historian and scholar, known for his comprehensive work on the history of Nepal.
5. Dipak Dhungel (born 1971), a celebrated Nepali journalist and writer, recognized for his investigative reporting and human rights advocacy.

The DHUNGEL surname has also been associated with various place names across Nepal, such as Dhungeldhara, a village in the Kavrepalanchok district, and Dhungelsanghu, a region in the Lalitpur district. These place names likely originated from the presence of DHUNGEL families in those areas or were named after prominent individuals bearing the surname.

While the DHUNGEL name continues to be predominantly found in Nepal, it has also gained a presence in other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical roots and significance of this surname remain deeply tied to the rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Nepal.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dhungel

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

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

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

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