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

Gopi, 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 Gopi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gopi in America

Gopi is the 115034th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gopi surname appeared 152 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 Gopi.

The history of the last name Gopi

The surname Gopi is of Indian origin, specifically from the Sanskrit language. Its roots can be traced back to ancient India, where it was likely derived from the Sanskrit word 'gopa,' meaning 'cowherd' or 'protector of cows.'

In Hindu mythology and scriptures, the term 'gopi' was often used to refer to the cowherd maidens who were devotees of Lord Krishna. The name Gopi gained prominence in the regions of northern India, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan, where cow herding and pastoral traditions were prevalent.

While the exact origins of the surname Gopi cannot be pinpointed to a specific time period, it is believed to have emerged as a hereditary family name during the medieval era in India. Historical records from the 12th to 16th centuries mention individuals bearing this surname, often associated with agricultural or pastoral communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gopi can be found in the 'Ain-i-Akbari,' a 16th-century administrative manual commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It mentions a certain 'Gopi Nath' who served as a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

Another notable historical figure with the surname Gopi was Gopi Krishna (1903-1984), a renowned Indian yogi and author who wrote extensively about his experiences with kundalini awakening and higher states of consciousness. His works, such as 'Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man,' have had a significant impact on the study of Eastern spiritual traditions.

In the realm of Indian classical music, the name Gopi is closely associated with the renowned vocalist Gopi Krishna (1938-1994), who was a leading exponent of the Kirana gharana and received numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

The surname Gopi has also been present in Indian literature and poetry. One prominent figure was Gopi Chand Narang (1917-1976), a renowned Urdu poet and critic who made significant contributions to the literary scene in undivided India and later in Pakistan.

Another notable individual bearing the surname Gopi was Gopi Nath Srivastava (1896-1978), an eminent Indian historian and scholar who specialized in the study of ancient Indian history and culture. His works, such as 'The Age of Imperial Kanauj' and 'The Age of Imperial Unity,' are considered seminal texts in the field of Indian history.

While the surname Gopi has its roots in ancient India, it continues to be widespread among various communities across the Indian subcontinent, reflecting the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gopi

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

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

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

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