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

Khoja, 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 Khoja surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Khoja in America

Khoja is the 48628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Khoja surname appeared 434 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 Khoja.

We can also compare 2010 data for Khoja 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 Khoja

The surname Khoja has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the regions of present-day Pakistan and India. The word "Khoja" is derived from the Persian term "Khwajah," which means "master" or "lord." It is believed that the name was initially used to refer to a class of wealthy and influential merchants who operated along the trade routes between the Middle East and South Asia.

The earliest known references to the Khoja surname can be traced back to the 13th century, during the reign of the Delhi Sultanate. Historical records from this period mention prominent Khoja families who played influential roles in the economic and cultural life of the region. One notable example is the Khoja family from Multan, a city in present-day Pakistan, who were renowned for their involvement in the silk trade.

In the 15th century, the Khoja community underwent a significant religious transformation, with many members embracing the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam. This religious affiliation further solidified their identity and set them apart from other merchant communities in the region.

The name Khoja has been associated with several notable historical figures over the centuries. One such figure is Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (1173-1235), a revered Sufi saint and spiritual leader who played a pivotal role in the spread of Islam in South Asia. Another prominent individual was Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (1141-1236), the founder of the Chishti order of Sufism, whose descendants played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of the subcontinent.

During the Mughal era (1526-1857), the Khoja community enjoyed a period of prosperity and influence. Several Khoja families held influential positions in the Mughal court and contributed to the flourishing of trade, arts, and culture. One such figure was Khwaja Abdul Samad (1552-1606), a renowned calligrapher and artist who served under the Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir.

Another notable Khoja figure from this period was Khwaja Nizamuddin Ahmad (1551-1625), a renowned poet and scholar who was patronized by the Mughal emperor Akbar. His works, including the famous Masnavi-e-Nizami, are considered literary masterpieces of the time.

In more recent history, the Khoja community has produced several influential figures in various fields. One such individual was Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), a philosopher, poet, and politician who is widely regarded as the spiritual father of Pakistan. Another prominent Khoja was Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy (1856-1916), a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the city of Karachi.

Overall, the surname Khoja has a rich and diverse history, spanning centuries and encompassing various aspects of social, cultural, and economic life in the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Khoja

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

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

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

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