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

Kalash, 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 Kalash surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kalash in America

Kalash is the 114424th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kalash surname appeared 153 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 Kalash.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kalash 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 Kalash

The surname Kalash originates from the Kalash people, an indigenous ethnic group residing in the Hindu Kush mountains of present-day Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This unique community has preserved their ancient traditions and language, which is closely related to the archaic Dardic languages spoken in the region.

The name Kalash is believed to derive from the Sanskrit word "Kalasha," meaning a vessel or pitcher used in religious ceremonies. This connection suggests that the Kalash people may have played a significant role in ancient Hindu rituals and practices, perhaps as priests or spiritual leaders.

Historical records trace the Kalash community's presence in the Hindu Kush region back to the 4th century BCE, when Alexander the Great's armies encountered them during their invasions of the Indian subcontinent. Greek historians documented the existence of a pagan tribe in the area, known for their distinctive cultural practices and fierce resistance to outside influence.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the Kalash surname was Shri Kalash, a legendary chieftain and spiritual leader who lived in the 7th century CE. According to oral traditions, Shri Kalash played a pivotal role in preserving the Kalash people's unique way of life and defending their territory against invading forces.

In the 12th century, the Persian scholar and traveler Al-Idrisi made reference to the "Kalash" people in his writings, describing them as a distinct ethnic group residing in the mountainous regions of what is now Pakistan.

Another notable figure in Kalash history was Biyu Kalash, a revered priestess and healer who lived in the 16th century. She was renowned for her knowledge of traditional medicine and her role in maintaining the community's cultural and religious practices.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Muhammed Kalash, a prominent leader and advocate for the Kalash people's rights. He worked tirelessly to protect their lands and traditions from encroachment by neighboring groups and attempted assimilation by colonial authorities.

Despite their small population and geographic isolation, the Kalash people have managed to preserve their unique cultural heritage and traditions over centuries. The surname Kalash serves as a testament to their resilience and strong sense of identity, deeply rooted in the rugged landscapes of the Hindu Kush mountains.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kalash

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

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

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

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