Kham
A surname derived from the Persian word "khan," meaning ruler or chieftain.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 686 Americans carry the last name Kham. That puts it at #38,155 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.20 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 499,642 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kham surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
686
1 in 499,642
Census rank
#38,155
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
581
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 581 bearers of the surname Kham in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.20 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 38155th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kham, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 86.4%. The next largest groups are White (5.5%) and Two or More Races (4.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kham
The surname KHAM has its origins traced back to the Indian subcontinent, specifically the northwestern region known as Punjab. The name is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "kshama," which means "forgiveness" or "pardon." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who possessed qualities of compassion and mercy.
During the medieval period, the name KHAM appeared in various historical records and manuscripts kept by local scribes and administrators. One notable mention can be found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, which details the names and occupations of individuals residing in different regions of the empire.
The earliest recorded instance of the name KHAM can be traced back to the 12th century, when a prominent scholar and poet, Kham al-Din Khusrau, gained recognition for his literary works and contributions to the Persian language. Born in 1253 in Patiali, Punjab, Khusrau is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of the Hindustani language and Sufi poetry.
Another notable figure bearing the surname KHAM was Kham Bakhsh Khan, a 17th-century Mughal military commander and governor. He served under Emperor Aurangzeb and played a crucial role in various military campaigns, including the conquest of the Deccan region.
In the 18th century, Kham Singh Bhangu, a Sikh warrior and scholar, gained fame for his literary work, the "Sri Guru Panth Prakash." This historical narrative chronicled the lives of the ten Sikh Gurus and the events surrounding the formation of the Khalsa, the collective body of initiated Sikhs.
During the 19th century, Kham Bakhsh Khan Malik, a prominent landowner and politician from Punjab, made significant contributions to the region's administrative affairs. He served as a member of the legislative council and worked towards improving the living conditions of the local population.
Another notable figure with the surname KHAM was Kham Kaur, a Sikh freedom fighter and revolutionary who actively participated in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule in the early 20th century. She was born in 1892 in the village of Gakhar, Punjab, and played a crucial role in organizing protests and rallies, advocating for women's rights and social reforms.
While the surname KHAM is predominantly found in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, it is important to note that the historical records and references mentioned here focus primarily on the origins and early occurrences of the name within the Indian subcontinent.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kham
Among Census respondents with the surname Kham, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 86.4%. The next largest groups are White (5.5%) and Two or More Races (4.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Kham bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kham surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander86.4%
- White5.5%
- Two or more races4.5%
- Unknown or suppressed1.9%
- Hispanic or Latino1.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kham surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #36,807 | #38,155 | -3.7% |
| Count | 572 | 581 | 1.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.20 | -4.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Kham bearers went from 572 to 581 (+1.6% change). The surname moved down 1,348 positions in the national ranking, going from #36,807 to #38,155.
FAQ
Kham surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kham?
The surname Kham holds position #38,155 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 686 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.20 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kham surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kham, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 86.4%. The next largest groups are White (5.5%) and Two or More Races (4.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.