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

Nandi, 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 Nandi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nandi in America

Nandi is the 43285th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nandi surname appeared 499 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 Nandi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nandi 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 Nandi

The surname Nandi originated in India, and its roots can be traced back to the 6th century AD. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'nanda,' which means joy or delight. The name is particularly prevalent in the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, the word 'Nandi' is often associated with Lord Shiva's sacred bull, known as Nandi. This bull is revered as Shiva's gate-keeper and is depicted sitting at the entrance of many Shiva temples. The name's connection to this sacred animal highlights its religious and cultural significance in the region.

The Nandi surname can be found in various forms in historical records and manuscripts, including the Nandi inscriptions from the 9th century AD. These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the cultural and political landscape of the time, as well as the prevalence of the name in certain regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Nandi surname was Nandi Adigal, a renowned Tamil poet and philosopher who lived in the 9th century AD. His literary works, particularly the Nandikkalambakam, a poetic treatise on grammar, are considered masterpieces of Tamil literature.

Another notable figure was Nandi Timmanna, a 14th-century Hindu philosopher and poet from the Vijayanagara Empire. He is best known for his work, the Nandikeshvara Kavya, a poetic composition dedicated to Lord Shiva's sacred bull, Nandi.

In the 17th century, Nandi Mallappa was a prominent figure in the Maratha Empire. He served as a military commander and played a crucial role in the expansion of the empire under the leadership of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire.

During the 19th century, Nandi Subramanya Iyer was a renowned scholar and reformer from Tamil Nadu. He is credited with establishing the first modern Tamil printing press and promoting education and social reforms in the region.

Lastly, Nandi Bhaskar Rao was a 20th-century Indian administrator and diplomat. He served as the Governor of Karnataka and held various diplomatic positions, including Ambassador to the United States and the United Kingdom.

Throughout history, the surname Nandi has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including poets, philosophers, military leaders, scholars, and diplomats. Its rich cultural and religious roots have contributed to its enduring presence in the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nandi

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

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

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

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