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

Nanayakkara, 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 Nanayakkara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nanayakkara in America

Nanayakkara is the 94730th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nanayakkara surname appeared 193 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 Nanayakkara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nanayakkara 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 Nanayakkara

The surname NANAYAKKARA originated in Sri Lanka, tracing its roots back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Sinhalese words "nana," meaning "various" or "different," and "yakkara," referring to a type of chieftain or leader. This suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who held positions of authority over diverse groups or regions.

The earliest known record of the NANAYAKKARA surname can be found in the Culavamsa, a historical chronicle of Sri Lankan kings and their reigns. This ancient text mentions a prominent figure named Nanayakkara Mudiyanse, who served as a high-ranking official during the reign of King Parakramabahu II in the late 13th century.

Throughout the centuries, the NANAYAKKARA name has been associated with several notable individuals. One such person was Don Juan Nanayakkara, a 16th-century diplomat and translator who played a crucial role in facilitating communication between the Portuguese and the Kingdom of Kandy. His expertise in multiple languages and cultural understanding were instrumental in fostering diplomatic relations.

In the 18th century, a renowned scholar and poet named Nanayakkara Rala lived in the southern region of Sri Lanka. His literary works, written in the Sinhalese language, were widely acclaimed and contributed significantly to the preservation of the island's cultural heritage.

Another prominent figure bearing the NANAYAKKARA name was Don Philip Nanayakkara, a 19th-century lawyer and politician who advocated for social reforms and played a pivotal role in the fight for independence from British colonial rule. His contributions to the nation's political landscape were widely recognized and celebrated.

The NANAYAKKARA surname has also been linked to several place names within Sri Lanka. For instance, the village of Nanayakkarapura in the Kurunegala District is believed to have derived its name from the presence of NANAYAKKARA families in the area during ancient times.

As the NANAYAKKARA name spread across different regions of Sri Lanka, slight variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged. Some alternative spellings found in historical records include Nanaiyakkara, Nanayakkarawa, and Nanayakkara Mudiyanselage, reflecting the regional dialects and linguistic adaptations over time.

While the NANAYAKKARA surname has deep roots in Sri Lankan history, it has also gained recognition beyond the island's borders. Individuals bearing this name have contributed to various fields, including academia, the arts, and public service, further solidifying its legacy as a distinguished and culturally significant surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nanayakkara

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

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

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

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