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

Gowda, 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 Gowda surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gowda in America

Gowda is the 27950th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gowda surname appeared 858 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 Gowda.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gowda 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 Gowda

The surname "GOWDA" has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the state of Karnataka, where it is associated with a prominent agricultural community. The name is derived from the Kannada word "Gowda," which means "one who tends to cows" or "herdsman." This suggests that the name's earliest bearers were likely involved in pastoral activities and animal husbandry.

The Gowda community has a long and rich history, with mentions of their existence dating back to the 9th century CE. During the reign of the Western Ganga Dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Karnataka between the 4th and 11th centuries, the Gowdas were considered an influential and respected group, playing a crucial role in agriculture and village administration.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name "Gowda" can be found in inscriptions and copper plate grants issued by the rulers of the Western Ganga Dynasty. These inscriptions often mention individuals with the title "Gowda," indicating their status and importance within the community.

Over the centuries, the Gowda community has produced several notable figures who have left their mark on various fields. One such individual was Kempe Gowda, a renowned chieftain who is credited with founding the city of Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore) in the 16th century. He established the city's initial fortifications and laid the groundwork for its growth and development.

Another prominent figure bearing the Gowda surname was Shivaram Karanth Gowda (1854-1919), a renowned writer and social reformer from Karnataka. He played a significant role in promoting Kannada literature and advocating for education and social progress.

In the realm of politics, D. Devaraj Urs (1915-1982), a former Chief Minister of Karnataka, was a prominent Gowda who left a lasting impact on the state's governance and development.

The Gowda surname has also been associated with agricultural innovations and practices. One notable example is Kadur Shri Someshwara Gowda (1865-1942), a pioneering agriculturist who introduced several modern farming techniques and played a crucial role in the development of the agricultural sector in Karnataka.

It is worth noting that while the Gowda surname is predominant in Karnataka, it has also spread to other parts of India and abroad due to migration and diaspora communities. The name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, and professionals, further enriching its legacy and diversity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gowda

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

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

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

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