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

Mala, 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 Mala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mala in America

Mala is the 74141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mala surname appeared 261 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 Mala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mala 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 Mala

The surname Mala has its origins in India, specifically in the northern regions of the subcontinent. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "mala," which means "garland" or "necklace." In ancient India, garlands held significant cultural and religious importance, often used in ceremonies and festivities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mala can be found in the Puranic texts, which are ancient Hindu scriptures dating back to the 4th century CE. These texts mention individuals bearing the name Mala, suggesting that the surname has a long and deeply rooted history in the Indian subcontinent.

During the medieval period, the Mala surname was prevalent among various Hindu communities, particularly in the regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. The name was often associated with individuals involved in the production or trading of garlands, as well as those who held positions of prominence in religious or cultural spheres.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the name Mala was Mala Devi, a queen consort of the Mughal Empire. She was married to Emperor Akbar and played a significant role in the court's cultural and artistic endeavors.

Another prominent individual with the surname Mala was Mala Singh, a renowned warrior and military leader from Rajasthan in the 18th century. He fought valiantly against the Maratha Empire and was instrumental in defending his homeland.

During the British colonial era in India, the Mala surname was recorded in various administrative documents and records, further solidifying its historical presence in the region.

In the 20th century, Mala Sinha, an acclaimed Indian actress and dancer, graced the silver screen with her exceptional talents. Born in 1936, she left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry with her performances in numerous critically acclaimed movies.

Another notable figure was Mala Sen, a celebrated Indian writer and novelist who was born in 1947. Her literary works, which often explored themes of identity, feminism, and societal norms, have garnered widespread acclaim and recognition.

It is worth mentioning that the Mala surname has also been found in regions outside of India, such as Nepal and Bangladesh, likely due to migration patterns and cultural exchanges throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mala

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

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

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

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