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

Nayak, 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 Nayak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nayak in America

Nayak is the 15238th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nayak surname appeared 1,930 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Nayak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nayak 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 Nayak

The surname NAYAK originates from the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions of West Bengal, Odisha, and other parts of eastern India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "nayaka," which means "leader" or "chief."

The name NAYAK has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. It was initially used as a title or designation for rulers, chieftains, and leaders of local communities. In medieval India, the term "Nayak" was also associated with military commanders and governors who served under larger empires or kingdoms.

One of the earliest documented references to the name NAYAK can be found in the Madras Manual, a compilation of historical records from the 17th century. This manual mentions the Nayak rulers of Madurai, who governed a significant portion of present-day Tamil Nadu between the 16th and 18th centuries.

The name NAYAK gained prominence during the 16th and 17th centuries when several Nayak dynasties rose to power in southern India. Notable among them were the Nayaks of Madurai, the Nayaks of Tanjore, and the Nayaks of Gingee. These dynasties played a crucial role in the political and cultural landscape of the region, patronizing art, architecture, and literature.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname NAYAK was Vishwanatha Nayak (c. 1529-1564), the founder of the Madurai Nayak dynasty. Another prominent figure was Raghunatha Nayak (c. 1600-1645), a celebrated ruler of the Tanjore Nayak kingdom, known for his architectural contributions and patronage of arts.

Other notable individuals with the surname NAYAK include:

1. Samal Nayak (c. 1550-1595), a military commander and ruler of the Gingee Nayak kingdom.
2. Krishnappa Nayak (c. 1510-1553), the founder of the Keladi Nayak dynasty in present-day Karnataka.
3. Bhagwan Das Nayak (c. 1775-1833), a Sanskrit scholar and author from Odisha.
4. Vishnu Nayak (c. 1550-1614), a notable ruler of the Nayak dynasty in Thanjavur.
5. Sitaram Nayak (1907-1986), an Indian freedom fighter and politician from Odisha.

The legacy of the surname NAYAK is deeply intertwined with the rich cultural and historical tapestry of India, particularly in the southern and eastern regions. It continues to be a prominent surname in these areas, serving as a reminder of the influential leaders and dynasties that shaped the course of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nayak

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

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

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

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