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

Kala, 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 Kala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kala in America

Kala is the 38389th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kala surname appeared 577 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 Kala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kala 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 Kala

The surname KALA has its origins in India, where it first emerged as a surname during the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name is believed to derive from the Sanskrit word "kala," which can mean various things, such as "black," "art," "skill," or "time."

In some regions of India, particularly in the northern states, the name KALA was associated with individuals who worked as artisans, craftsmen, or skilled professionals. It may have been a surname adopted by those involved in artistic pursuits, such as painters, sculptors, or musicians.

The name KALA can also be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it is sometimes used to refer to deities or celestial beings associated with time or the arts. However, there are no definitive records or manuscripts that directly mention the surname itself during the early periods of its use.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname KALA was Kala Bhavani, a 14th-century Rajput warrior and ruler of the Chauhan dynasty in present-day Rajasthan. Another notable figure was Kala Chand, a 16th-century Hindu merchant and trader from the city of Multan (now in Pakistan), who established trade routes and commercial networks across the Indian subcontinent.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure with the surname KALA was Kala Krishan, a renowned painter and artist from the Mughal court of Emperor Jahangir. His intricate and vibrant miniature paintings are considered masterpieces of the Mughal era and are preserved in various museums and collections around the world.

During the 19th century, Kala Singh (1837-1919) was a prominent Sikh leader and military commander who played a significant role in the Anglo-Sikh Wars. He was known for his bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.

Another individual with the surname KALA who left a lasting impact was Kala Narayana Rao (1868-1953), a renowned Telugu writer, poet, and social reformer from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. His literary works and advocacy for social causes influenced generations of writers and intellectuals in the region.

While the surname KALA has its roots in India, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical records and accounts mentioned above provide insights into the rich heritage and cultural significance associated with this ancient surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kala

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

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

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

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