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

Jiwa, 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 Jiwa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Jiwa in America

Jiwa is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Jiwa surname appeared 122 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 Jiwa.

The history of the last name Jiwa

The surname JIWA is believed to have originated in India, specifically in the northern regions of the country. The name can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "jiva," which means "life" or "soul." This suggests that the name may have been associated with occupations or professions related to spirituality, healing, or life-sustaining activities.

In ancient Hindu texts and manuscripts, there are references to individuals with the name JIWA, although the specific context and details are not always clear. One notable mention is found in the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, where the term "jiwa" is used in reference to the concept of the soul or the essence of life.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname JIWA can be found in administrative records and tax registers from the Mughal Empire, which ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent between the 16th and 19th centuries. During this period, the name JIWA was prevalent in regions such as Punjab, Haryana, and parts of modern-day Pakistan.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname JIWA was Bhai Jiwa, a Sikh scholar and warrior who lived in the 17th century. He was a prominent figure in the Sikh community and played a significant role in defending the faith during times of persecution.

Another notable bearer of the name JIWA was Rani Jiwa, a Rajput queen who ruled the princely state of Bundi in Rajasthan during the late 17th century. She was known for her courage, leadership, and efforts in promoting education and cultural development within her kingdom.

In the 18th century, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final living Guru of the Sikhs, had a disciple named Bhai Jiwa Singh. Bhai Jiwa Singh was a dedicated follower who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the teachings of the Sikh faith.

During the 19th century, Munshi Jiwa Lal was a renowned scholar and translator from Delhi. He was known for his translations of Arabic and Persian texts into Urdu, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge in the region.

One of the more recent notable individuals with the surname JIWA was Dr. Jiwa P. Nanavatty, an Indian physician and philanthropist who lived from 1890 to 1979. He was recognized for his contributions to healthcare and social welfare initiatives in Mumbai and other parts of India.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Jiwa

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

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

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

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