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

Narayana, 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 Narayana surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Narayana in America

Narayana is the 69392nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Narayana surname appeared 283 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 Narayana.

We can also compare 2010 data for Narayana 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 Narayana

The surname "NARAYANA" is of Hindu origin and is derived from the Sanskrit name "Narayana," which is one of the principal names of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words "nara," meaning "human," and "ayana," meaning "abode" or "refuge," translating to "the abode or refuge of humanity."

The name "NARAYANA" has its roots in ancient Hindu scriptures and mythology, where Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe, is often referred to as "Narayana." This name is commonly found among Hindus, particularly those from India and parts of Southeast Asia, where Hindu culture and traditions have a strong influence.

Historical references to the name "NARAYANA" can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts such as the Vedas, Puranas, and the Bhagavad Gita, where Vishnu is praised and invoked under this name. The name has been in use for centuries, and its significance in Hindu culture has endured over time.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name "NARAYANA" can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th or 9th century BCE. In this epic, Narayana is revered as the supreme deity and is often invoked by various characters, particularly during times of distress or in seeking guidance.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the surname "NARAYANA." One such person was Sri Narayana Guru (1856-1928), a renowned Hindu spiritual leader and social reformer from Kerala, India, who played a significant role in promoting social equality and education among the underprivileged communities of the region.

Another notable figure was Narayana Pandit (1816-1900), a prominent Indian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy during the 19th century. He was also known for his work in Sanskrit literature and was widely respected for his scholarly achievements.

In the field of literature, Narayana Rao (1931-1998) was a renowned Telugu writer and scholar from Andhra Pradesh, India. He was a prolific author and is considered one of the most influential figures in modern Telugu literature, having written several novels, short stories, and literary criticisms.

Another notable individual with the surname "NARAYANA" was Narayana Murthy (born 1946), the co-founder of the multinational technology company Infosys. He is an influential figure in the Indian business community and has been recognized for his contributions to the growth of the Indian IT industry.

Lastly, Narayana Kocherlakota (born 1963) is an American economist and former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. He has made significant contributions to the field of macroeconomics and has held various academic and professional positions throughout his career.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Narayana

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

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

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

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