Find out how popular the last name KC is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named KC.
Of Indian origin, a surname denoting a person from the Kannauj or Kanauj region.
KC, 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 KC surname is from the 2000 census data.
KC is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The KC surname appeared 108 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname KC.
The surname KC is an unusual and less common surname with an intriguing history. Its origins can be traced back to Nepal, primarily among the Chhetri caste, which is considered a subgroup of the Kshatriya varna. The etymology of KC is believed to be derived from the initials of a traditionally significant family or lineage name within the Chhetri community.
The use of initials as surnames is quite rare, and it is suggested that KC may have originated as a shorthand or anglicized version of a longer, more complex Nepali surname. It typically denotes families with notable standing or heritage and may have been adopted during the British colonial period in South Asia to simplify documentation processes.
Historical references to the surname KC are sparse due to its unusual form. However, traditional Nepali records and local chronicles often referred to notable families or clans abbreviated in an initial format. Transcriptions of these records into English or other languages could have led to the adoption of KC as a surname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name KC appears in the mid-20th century, notably with the personality Kaji Kalu KC, a respected figure within his community, whose work as a bureaucrat in Nepal during the 1950s and 1960s left a lasting impact on local governance.
Famed within academic circles, Dr. Ramesh KC, born in 1958, contributed significantly to the field of physics in Nepal, marking a significant point in the surname's history. His published works in the late 20th century remain referenced in scientific research and literature.
In the arts, Lakshmi KC (1942-1999) was renowned for her work as an illustrator and painter, gaining recognition throughout the 1970s and contributing significantly to Nepal's cultural heritage.
Another notable figure is Ram Prasad KC, born in 1947, who played a pivotal role in the development of modern education systems in rural Nepal, his efforts significantly improving literacy rates and educational infrastructure in isolated communities.
Lastly, the engineer and philanthropist Dinesh KC, born in 1965, is renowned for his work from the 1990s onwards in developing sustainable engineering practices and contributing to numerous charitable initiatives aimed at improving public health and safety across Nepal.
These historical figures highlight the diverse achievements of individuals bearing the KC surname, adding layers of depth to its legacy and cultural importance in Nepalese society. The surname KC, therefore, embeds both the historical significance and contemporary contributions of its bearers in various fields.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname KC.
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:
For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for KC was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 8.33% | 9 |
Non-Hispanic Black Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 80.56% | 87 |
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | 9.26% | 10 |
Hispanic Origin | (S)% | (S) |
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.
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 KC was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/kc-surname-popularity/">KC last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"KC last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/kc-surname-popularity/.
"KC last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/kc-surname-popularity/. Accessed 26 April, 2025
KC last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/kc-surname-popularity/.
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