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

Neelakantan, 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 Neelakantan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Neelakantan in America

Neelakantan is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Neelakantan surname appeared 105 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 Neelakantan.

The history of the last name Neelakantan

The surname Neelakantan originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the southern regions of India. The name is derived from the combination of two Sanskrit words, "Neela," which means blue, and "Kantan," which means lord or master. The name is closely associated with the Hindu deity Lord Krishna, who is often depicted with a bluish complexion.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Neelakantan can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was used to refer to devotees or ardent followers of Lord Krishna. These early references suggest that the name may have its roots in the Bhakti movement, a spiritual tradition that emphasizes devotion and love towards the divine.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the surname Neelakantan was Neelakantan Chidambara Vathiyar (1508-1623), a renowned Tamil poet and scholar from the Chola dynasty era. His literary works, including the "Raamalinga Satakam," a collection of devotional poems, are considered masterpieces of Tamil literature.

Another notable figure with the surname Neelakantan was Neelakantan Moosath (1809-1887), a prominent social reformer and educationist from the state of Kerala. He played a crucial role in the establishment of several educational institutions and was instrumental in promoting literacy and social progress in the region.

In the field of music, Neelakantan Sivan (1872-1954) was a celebrated Carnatic musician and composer. He is credited with introducing several innovative techniques and compositions, contributing significantly to the development of South Indian classical music.

The surname Neelakantan has also been associated with several historical place names and locations in India. For instance, the town of Neelankarai in Tamil Nadu is believed to have derived its name from the term "Neelakantan," referring to Lord Krishna's blue complexion.

Throughout history, the surname Neelakantan has been carried by various individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, social reform, education, and the arts. While the name has its roots in Hindu mythology and spirituality, it has transcended religious boundaries and has been embraced by people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Neelakantan

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

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

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

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