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

Niraula, 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 Niraula surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Niraula in America

Niraula is the 140157th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Niraula surname appeared 119 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 Niraula.

The history of the last name Niraula

The surname NIRAULA originated in Nepal, with its roots tracing back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the word "nirvana," which holds significant meaning in the Buddhist faith. The name is predominantly found in the Himalayan region, particularly in the districts of Dailekh, Achham, and Doti.

NIRAULA is a Brahmin surname, indicating a connection to the priestly class in the traditional Hindu caste system. Historical records suggest that the earliest bearers of this surname were scholars and spiritual leaders who played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the teachings of Buddhism in the region.

One of the earliest known references to the NIRAULA name can be found in the ancient Sanskrit manuscripts that date back to the 16th century. These manuscripts, which are preserved in the National Archives of Nepal, contain mentions of several individuals bearing this surname, including the renowned Buddhist scholar, Niraula Dharmakirti (1550-1625).

The annals of Nepali history also record the presence of the NIRAULA family in the court of the Malla kings, who ruled over the Kathmandu Valley during the 14th to 18th centuries. One notable figure from this period was Niraula Jyotirvid (1625-1695), who served as the royal astrologer and advisor to King Pratap Malla.

As the centuries passed, the NIRAULA surname continued to be associated with scholarly pursuits and spiritual leadership. In the 19th century, Niraula Ratnajyoti (1810-1885) gained recognition as a prominent Buddhist teacher and philosopher, whose teachings influenced the intellectual discourse of the time.

Another illustrious figure bearing the NIRAULA name was Niraula Dharmaratna (1875-1950), a revered Buddhist monk and scholar who played a pivotal role in reviving the study of ancient Buddhist texts in Nepal. His contributions to preserving the cultural heritage of the region earned him widespread respect and admiration.

Throughout its long history, the NIRAULA surname has maintained a strong connection to the Buddhist faith and the pursuit of knowledge. While the name has evolved over time, with variations in spelling and pronunciation, its essence remains rooted in the principles of enlightenment and spiritual wisdom.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Niraula

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!