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

Diah, 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 Diah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Diah in America

Diah is the 146201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Diah surname appeared 113 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 Diah.

We can also compare 2010 data for Diah 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 Diah

The surname Diah has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Tamil-speaking regions of southern India. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century CE.

The name Diah is thought to be derived from the Tamil word "thiaagam," which means "sacrifice" or "renunciation." This suggests that the surname may have been initially bestowed upon individuals or families who were known for their sacrificial or ascetic way of life, possibly associated with religious or spiritual practices.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Diah can be found in ancient Tamil literature, such as the Purananuru, a collection of poems dating back to the Sangam period (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE). The name appears in reference to certain individuals, although the specific details remain obscure due to the age of the texts.

During the reign of the Chola Empire, which ruled over large parts of southern India from the 9th to the 13th century CE, the name Diah is mentioned in several inscriptions and copper plate grants issued by the Chola monarchs. These records often listed individuals bearing the surname, indicating their association with various administrative or religious roles within the empire.

One notable figure from history who bore the surname Diah was Arunagiri Diah, a Tamil scholar and poet who lived in the 15th century CE. He is renowned for his contributions to Tamil literature and his works on Hindu philosophy and spirituality.

Another individual of historical significance was Krishnama Diah, a prominent military commander who served under the Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th century CE. He played a crucial role in several battles against the Deccan Sultanates and is recorded in contemporary accounts for his strategic prowess and leadership on the battlefield.

In the 17th century, a religious figure named Raghavendra Diah gained recognition as a revered saint and philosopher in the Dvaita tradition of Hinduism. He authored several influential works and established monasteries in various parts of southern India, attracting a large following of devotees.

During the colonial era, the surname Diah continued to be found in records and documents compiled by British administrators and researchers studying the region's history and culture. One notable individual from this period was Saravana Diah, a scholar and linguist who collaborated with Western academics in translating and preserving ancient Tamil literary works.

While the surname Diah may have originated in southern India, it has since spread to other parts of the subcontinent and beyond, carried by individuals and families who migrated or were part of the Tamil diaspora. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply intertwined with the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Tamil people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Diah

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

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

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

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