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

Khowaja, 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 Khowaja surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Khowaja in America

Khowaja is the 110286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Khowaja surname appeared 160 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 Khowaja.

The history of the last name Khowaja

The surname "KHOWAJA" is of Persian origin, and it is believed to have originated in the region that is now modern-day Iran and Afghanistan during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Persian word "Khwaja," which means "master" or "lord," and was initially used as a title of respect for learned men and scholars.

In Persian and Islamic cultures, the title "Khwaja" was often bestowed upon individuals who had achieved a high level of knowledge and wisdom, particularly in the fields of religion, philosophy, and literature. It was a term of honor, signifying the bearer's erudition and intellectual prowess.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "KHOWAJA" can be traced back to the 10th and 11th centuries, when it appeared in various historical records and manuscripts from the region. One notable example is the "Tārīkh-e Bayhaqī," a historical work written by the Persian scholar Abu'l-Fazl Bayhaqi in the 11th century, which mentions several individuals bearing the surname.

Over time, the surname "KHOWAJA" spread beyond its Persian roots, carried by individuals who migrated to other parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. In these regions, the name underwent various spelling variations, such as "Khwaja," "Khoja," "Khwajah," and "Khwajeh."

One of the most famous historical figures associated with the surname "KHOWAJA" is Khwaja Shams-ud-Din Muhammad Hafiz Shirazi, a renowned Persian poet who lived in the 14th century. His collection of lyrical poetry, known as the "Divan-e Hafiz," is considered a masterpiece of Persian literature and has been widely celebrated throughout the centuries.

Another notable individual with the surname "KHOWAJA" is Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a Sufi saint and the founder of the Chishti Order of Sufism in South Asia. He was born in Persia in the 12th century and later traveled to India, where he played a significant role in spreading the teachings of Sufism and Islam.

In the realm of literature, the surname "KHOWAJA" is associated with Khwaja Mir Dard, a prominent 18th-century Urdu and Persian poet from Delhi. His works, which explored themes of spirituality and love, have had a lasting impact on the literary traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

The surname "KHOWAJA" has also been carried by influential figures in the fields of politics and governance. Khwaja Nazimuddin, who served as the second Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1951 to 1953, and Khwaja Habibullah, a prominent diplomat and politician from British India, are notable examples.

Additionally, the name "KHOWAJA" has been associated with various place names throughout history. For instance, the city of Khwajah Shamsuddin in modern-day Afghanistan is named after the revered 13th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Shamsuddin.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Khowaja

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

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 Khowaja 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.

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

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

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