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

Gandhi, 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 Gandhi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gandhi in America

Gandhi is the 112568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gandhi surname appeared 156 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 Gandhi.

The history of the last name Gandhi

The surname "Gandhi" originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the western region of Gujarat. It has its roots in the Sanskrit language, derived from the word "Gandhi," meaning a perfume seller or grocer. The name can be traced back to the medieval era, around the 12th or 13th century.

The earliest known reference to the Gandhi surname can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was mentioned as a profession or occupation. Some historical records suggest that the name was initially associated with the Vaishya caste, one of the four major social classes in Hinduism.

In the 16th century, during the Mughal rule in India, the name Gandhi appeared in several administrative documents and taxation records, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this surname in various parts of Gujarat and neighboring regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Gandhi surname was Uttamram Gandhi, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who lived in the city of Junagadh, Gujarat, in the late 17th century. He is known for his contributions to the construction of temples and philanthropic initiatives in the region.

Another notable figure was Vithaldas Gandhi, a prominent trader and businessman from Surat, Gujarat, who lived in the 18th century. He was involved in international trade and played a significant role in establishing commercial ties between India and other parts of the world.

In the 19th century, the Gandhi surname gained global recognition due to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the renowned leader of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. Born in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi's non-violent resistance and civil disobedience campaigns inspired people worldwide and paved the way for India's independence in 1947.

Other notable individuals with the Gandhi surname include Indira Gandhi (1917-1984), the first female Prime Minister of India, and her son Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991), who also served as Prime Minister of India.

Feroze Gandhi (1912-1960), the husband of Indira Gandhi, was a prominent politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement and served as a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India's constitution.

Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Arun Gandhi (born 1934), is a renowned advocate for non-violence and social justice. He has authored several books and continues to promote his grandfather's teachings and philosophies around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gandhi

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

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

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

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