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

Loka, 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 Loka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Loka in America

Loka is the 123064th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Loka surname appeared 140 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 Loka.

The history of the last name Loka

The surname LOKA is believed to have originated in India, with its roots tracing back to the Sanskrit language and ancient Hindu scriptures. This name likely derived from the Sanskrit word "loka," which translates to "world" or "realm," and was often used to refer to the physical world or the universe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the LOKA surname can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, where it was mentioned in reference to a character named Lokavati. This suggests that the name may have been in use as early as the 4th century BCE, when the epic was thought to have been composed.

In the 9th century CE, the LOKA surname appeared in the Chaulukya dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Gujarat and Rajasthan in western India. During this period, a notable figure named Loka Shastri was a renowned scholar and poet who contributed significantly to the literary and cultural landscape of the region.

As the Indian subcontinent underwent various invasions and migrations, the LOKA surname spread to other parts of the country. In the 12th century, the name appeared in the Hoysala Empire, which ruled over parts of modern-day Karnataka. One of the most famous individuals bearing this surname was Loka Narayana, a celebrated architect and sculptor who designed and constructed several temples and monuments during the Hoysala period.

In the 16th century, the LOKA surname gained prominence in the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over large parts of southern India. During this time, a notable figure named Loka Nayaka served as a military commander and played a crucial role in the defense of the empire against invading forces.

Another significant individual with the LOKA surname was Loka Mitra, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the 17th century. Hailing from the region of Bengal, Loka Mitra made significant contributions to the study of Sanskrit literature and Hindu philosophy, and his works were widely acclaimed throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Throughout its history, the LOKA surname has been associated with various professions, ranging from scholars and poets to military commanders and architects. While its origins can be traced back to ancient India and the Sanskrit language, the name has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be found across the Indian subcontinent and among the global Indian diaspora.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Loka

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

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

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

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