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

Padala, 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 Padala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Padala in America

Padala is the 86981st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Padala surname appeared 214 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 Padala.

The history of the last name Padala

The surname PADALA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the southern region of Andhra Pradesh. It is thought to be derived from the Telugu language, which is widely spoken in this area. The word "padala" in Telugu can mean "song" or "poem," suggesting a possible connection to artistic or literary traditions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname PADALA can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, dating back several centuries. It is mentioned in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of Tamil works dedicated to the Vaishnava tradition, which was compiled between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. This indicates that the name has a long-standing presence in South Indian history and culture.

In the 16th century, the name PADALA appeared in various administrative records and land ownership documents from the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over parts of South India during that period. This suggests that families bearing this surname held positions of influence and authority within the empire's bureaucracy or were landowners of repute.

One notable individual with the surname PADALA was Kavitrayee Padala Rama Raju, a celebrated Telugu poet and scholar who lived in the 17th century. He was renowned for his contributions to the Telugu literary tradition and his works, such as the Rama Vijayamu and Pancha Pandava Vijayamu, are still studied and revered today.

Another prominent figure with this surname was Padala Rama Rao, a social reformer and educationist from the late 19th century. He played a pivotal role in promoting female education and establishing educational institutions in the Andhra region. His efforts helped to empower women and improve literacy rates in the region.

In the realm of performing arts, the name PADALA is associated with the renowned classical dancer and choreographer, Padala Venkateswara Rao (1912-1993). He was a pioneering figure in the revival and preservation of the Kuchipudi dance form, a classical Indian dance style originating from the Andhra region. His contributions to the art form earned him numerous accolades and recognition.

The surname PADALA can also be found in various literary works and historical records from the Nizam's Dominions, a princely state that existed in the Deccan region of South India until the mid-20th century. This further attests to the longstanding presence and significance of this surname in the region's cultural and historical landscape.

While the exact origins and etymology of the surname PADALA remain subject to scholarly debate, its deep-rooted connections to the Telugu-speaking regions of South India, particularly Andhra Pradesh, are evident. The name's association with artistic, literary, and scholarly pursuits, as well as its appearance in ancient texts and records, highlights its rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Padala

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

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

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

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