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

Malla, 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 Malla surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Malla in America

Malla is the 34758th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Malla surname appeared 650 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 Malla.

We can also compare 2010 data for Malla 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 Malla

The surname Malla has its origins in Nepal, where it is believed to have first emerged during the medieval period. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "malla," which translates to "wrestler" or "athlete." The Malla dynasty ruled over various regions of Nepal from the 12th to the 18th century, and it is thought that the surname originated among members of the royal family and their descendants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Malla can be found in the Gopalarajavamsavali, a historical chronicle written in the 14th century. This text documents the reign of the Malla kings in the Kathmandu Valley and provides valuable insights into the cultural and political developments of that era.

The Malla surname is closely associated with the city of Bhaktapur, which was once the capital of the Malla kingdom. The city is renowned for its exquisite architecture, including the renowned Nyatapola Temple, which was constructed during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th century.

Among the notable historical figures bearing the Malla surname is Siddhi Narsingh Malla, who ruled over the Kathmandu Valley in the 17th century. He is credited with promoting the arts, literature, and architecture during his reign, and many of the region's most iconic structures were built under his patronage.

Another prominent figure is Jaya Prakash Malla, a 16th-century Nepalese poet and playwright who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Nepali literature. His works, including the famous play "Gita Govinda," have had a lasting impact on Nepali culture.

The Malla surname can also be found in historical records from other parts of South Asia, including India and Bangladesh. For instance, the 12th-century Bengali poet Jayadeva, known for his acclaimed work "Gitagovinda," is sometimes referred to as Jayadeva Malla, suggesting a possible connection to the Malla lineage.

In more recent times, notable individuals with the Malla surname include Girija Prasad Malla, a renowned Nepalese historian and author who made significant contributions to the study of Nepal's history and culture in the 20th century.

It is worth noting that the Malla surname is not limited to Nepal alone; it has also been adopted by various communities in other parts of the world, particularly among those with South Asian roots. However, the name's roots can be traced back to the medieval Malla dynasty of Nepal, where it emerged as a symbol of royalty, power, and cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Malla

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

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

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

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