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

Kalra, 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 Kalra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kalra in America

Kalra is the 21429th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kalra surname appeared 1,220 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 Kalra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kalra 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 Kalra

The surname KALRA is of Indian origin, originating from the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "Kalra," which means "maker of arts or crafts." The name is associated with the Khatri caste, a community historically known for their expertise in various crafts and trades.

The KALRA surname can be traced back to the medieval period in India, with records indicating its presence in various historical documents and manuscripts. One notable mention is found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, which lists individuals with the surname KALRA among the skilled artisans and merchants of the time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname KALRA was Shri Ram Kalra, a renowned jeweler and goldsmith who lived in the city of Delhi during the 17th century. His intricate craftsmanship was highly sought after by the Mughal nobility and his work can be found in various historical collections and museums.

In the 18th century, the KALRA family played a significant role in the textile trade in the region of Punjab. Prominent members of the family included Lala Devi Dayal Kalra and Lala Thakar Dass Kalra, who established successful textile businesses and contributed to the economic prosperity of the region.

During the 19th century, the KALRA surname gained prominence in the field of education and literature. Pandit Shri Kishen Lal Kalra, born in 1845, was a renowned scholar and writer who authored several books on Sanskrit literature and Hindu philosophy. His works are still widely studied and revered in academic circles.

Another notable figure from this era was Lala Munshi Ram Kalra, a pioneering journalist and social reformer. Born in 1857, he founded the influential newspaper "Akhbar-e-Aam" and played a crucial role in raising awareness about social issues and advocating for educational reforms.

As the KALRA surname spread across different regions of India, it became associated with various professions and fields, including business, law, medicine, and the arts. Throughout history, individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions to their respective domains, cementing the KALRA legacy as one of the prominent Indian surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kalra

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

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

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

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