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

Mahapatra, 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 Mahapatra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mahapatra in America

Mahapatra is the 69996th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mahapatra surname appeared 280 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 Mahapatra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mahapatra 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 Mahapatra

The surname Mahapatra originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the eastern state of Odisha. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words "maha" (great) and "patra" (vessel or container), suggesting a connection to individuals who were involved in crafting or using significant vessels, possibly for religious or ceremonial purposes.

One of the earliest known references to the Mahapatra name can be found in ancient Odia literature and historical records from the Kalinga region, which encompassed parts of modern-day Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The name is associated with influential families and individuals who held prominent positions within the royal courts and administrative systems of the time.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Shyama Mahapatra served as a trusted advisor and minister in the court of the Gajapati Empire, which ruled over large parts of eastern India. His contributions to governance and cultural affairs were celebrated in contemporary chronicles.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mahapatra surname gained further recognition as several individuals bearing this name played significant roles in the literary and artistic spheres of Odisha. One such figure was Arjuna Mahapatra, a renowned poet and playwright who lived in the early 17th century and is credited with numerous compositions in the Odia language.

In the 18th century, the Mahapatra family established itself as a prominent landholding and influential clan in the Puri district of Odisha. Baidyanath Mahapatra, who lived during this period, was a revered scholar and author of several Sanskrit texts on philosophy and religion.

As the Mahapatra lineage continued to thrive, several notable individuals emerged in the fields of literature, arts, and politics. Radhanath Mahapatra, born in 1843, was a pioneering figure in the Odia literary renaissance and is considered one of the founders of modern Odia poetry. His works played a crucial role in shaping the cultural identity of Odisha.

Throughout its history, the Mahapatra surname has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various aspects of Indian society, particularly in the realms of literature, arts, and governance. While the name's origins can be traced back to ancient times, it continues to hold a prominent place in the cultural fabric of Odisha and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mahapatra

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

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

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

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