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

Nakka, 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 Nakka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nakka in America

Nakka is the 98982nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nakka surname appeared 183 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 Nakka.

The history of the last name Nakka

The surname NAKKA is believed to have originated in India, specifically in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is derived from the Telugu word "Nakka," which means "a person who plays a musical instrument called the Nakka." The Nakka is a percussion instrument commonly used in traditional folk music and dance performances in these regions.

The earliest recorded instances of the NAKKA surname can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in various historical documents and records from the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over large parts of southern India during that time. One notable example is the mention of a musician named Nakka Venkata Rama Kavi in the court chronicles of the Aravidu dynasty, which ruled the empire in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the NAKKA surname was also found in inscriptions and manuscripts from the Nayak dynasties that ruled over parts of present-day Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. One such inscription, dated 1632, mentions a certain Nakka Venkanna, who was a skilled musician and composer in the court of the Madurai Nayak rulers.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the NAKKA surname gained prominence among various communities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, particularly among the traditional hereditary musician and artist castes. Notable individuals from this period include Nakka Raju (1720-1780), a renowned vocalist and composer who contributed significantly to the development of Carnatic music.

Another prominent figure was Nakka Brahmaiah (1830-1890), a celebrated playwright and poet who wrote several acclaimed works in Telugu literature, including the play "Pratapa Rudreeyam." His works were instrumental in shaping the cultural renaissance of the Telugu-speaking regions during the late 19th century.

In the 20th century, the NAKKA surname continued to be associated with the performing arts and music traditions of southern India. One notable individual was Nakka Venkata Rangaiah (1905-1980), a highly respected musician and teacher who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the traditional folk music of Andhra Pradesh.

Overall, the surname NAKKA has a rich cultural heritage rooted in the musical and artistic traditions of southern India, particularly in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century, and it has been associated with several renowned individuals who have contributed significantly to the preservation and advancement of various art forms over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nakka

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

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

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

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