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

Dorjee, 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 Dorjee surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dorjee in America

Dorjee is the 56710th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dorjee surname appeared 360 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 Dorjee.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dorjee 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 Dorjee

The surname Dorjee has its origins in the Tibetan language and culture. It is believed to have emerged in the 7th or 8th century CE, during the reign of the Tibetan Empire. The name is derived from the Tibetan word "dorje," which refers to the thunderbolt or diamond scepter, a symbolic ritual object used in Buddhist and Bon practices.

Historically, the Dorjee name was associated with individuals who held significant roles in religious or spiritual contexts, such as lamas, monks, or tantric practitioners. It is possible that the name was initially adopted by those who possessed or worked with the dorje, a ritual implement symbolizing indestructibility and the ability to cut through illusion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Dorjee name can be found in the biographical accounts of the renowned Buddhist teacher and philosopher, Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who lived in the 8th century CE. He is said to have had several disciples and students bearing the Dorjee surname.

In the 14th century, the Dorjee family played a prominent role in the establishment of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Jetsun Dorjee, a highly respected lama and spiritual leader, was instrumental in spreading the teachings of this tradition throughout Tibet and neighboring regions.

Another notable figure was Drakpa Dorjee, a 16th-century Tibetan Buddhist master and scholar. He authored numerous texts on Buddhist philosophy and tantric practices, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of these teachings.

In the 18th century, Jigme Dorjee, a renowned spiritual leader and accomplished writer, gained recognition for his works on Tibetan history, culture, and religious practices. His writings remain influential in understanding the rich heritage of Tibet.

The Dorjee name also found its way into the realms of literature and art. Tenzin Dorjee, a 19th-century Tibetan poet and calligrapher, is celebrated for his exquisite poetic compositions and masterful calligraphic works, which capture the essence of Tibetan spirituality and aesthetics.

While the Dorjee surname has its roots in Tibet, it has spread to other regions over the centuries, particularly among Tibetan Buddhist communities in neighboring countries like India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Today, the Dorjee name continues to be closely associated with Tibetan culture and Buddhism, serving as a reminder of its rich spiritual heritage and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dorjee

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

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

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

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