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

Kalia, 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 Kalia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kalia in America

Kalia is the 39281st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kalia surname appeared 560 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 Kalia.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kalia 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 Kalia

The surname Kalia has its origins in India, tracing back to the 16th century or earlier. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Kaal," which means time or age, or from the word "Kaliya," referring to a mythological serpent in Hindu mythology.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kalia can be found in various historical records and manuscripts from northern India, particularly in the regions of Punjab and Haryana. It is likely that the name was initially used as a descriptive term or a reference to someone's occupation or association with time or serpents.

One notable historical figure with the surname Kalia was Rai Kalia, a prominent Hindu ruler who governed parts of present-day Uttar Pradesh in the late 16th century. Records suggest that he was a patron of the arts and played a significant role in the cultural development of the region during his reign.

Another individual of note was Pandit Kalia, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 17th century. His literary works, particularly in the field of poetry, are still studied and celebrated in certain academic circles.

In the 18th century, the Kalia family rose to prominence in the region of Punjab, with several members serving as administrators and military commanders under the Sikh Empire. One such figure was Sardar Kalia Singh, a distinguished military leader who fought in several battles against the Afghan forces during the late 18th century.

During the 19th century, the Kalia surname gained recognition beyond the Indian subcontinent. Ratan Kalia, a prominent trader and businessperson, established successful trade routes between India and various countries in Southeast Asia, contributing to the economic development of the region.

Tracing back to ancient times, the name Kalia has also been associated with certain geographical locations and place names in India. For instance, the town of Kalianpur in Uttar Pradesh is believed to have derived its name from the Kalia surname or an ancient word related to it.

While the surname Kalia has its roots in India, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance remains deeply rooted in the cultural and linguistic traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kalia

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

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

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

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