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

Guru, 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 Guru surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Guru in America

Guru is the 105079th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Guru surname appeared 170 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 Guru.

The history of the last name Guru

The surname "GURU" is of Indian origin, with its roots traced back to ancient Sanskrit texts. The word "Guru" itself is derived from the Sanskrit roots "gu" meaning darkness or ignorance, and "ru" meaning dispeller or remover. Thus, the literal meaning of "Guru" is one who dispels darkness or ignorance, signifying a spiritual guide or teacher.

The earliest known reference to the term "Guru" can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures, particularly the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, where it is used to describe a revered spiritual master or enlightened being. In these texts, the Guru is portrayed as a source of wisdom and guidance, imparting knowledge and facilitating spiritual growth for their disciples.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname "GURU" was Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh faith. Born in Talwandi, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Guru Nanak Dev was a spiritual reformer who preached the message of unity, equality, and devotion to the divine. His teachings formed the foundation of Sikhism, and his followers adopted the title "Guru" as a mark of respect and reverence.

Another prominent figure in the history of the surname "GURU" was Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), the tenth and final human Guru of the Sikh tradition. He is revered for his contributions to the Sikh faith, including the creation of the Khalsa, a spiritual order dedicated to upholding the values of courage, justice, and righteousness.

In the Hindu tradition, the surname "GURU" is often associated with spiritual leaders and teachers. One notable example is Sri Aurobindo Ghose (1872-1950), a philosopher, yogi, and spiritual guru who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. His teachings and writings on integral yoga and human evolution have influenced generations of seekers worldwide.

Another influential figure bearing the surname "GURU" was Swami Sivananda (1887-1963), a Hindu spiritual teacher and philosopher who founded the Divine Life Society, an organization dedicated to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge and the promotion of universal peace and harmony.

While the surname "GURU" is primarily associated with spiritual and religious contexts, it has also been adopted by individuals in various fields, such as academics, artists, and public figures, who have made significant contributions to their respective domains.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Guru

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

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

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

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