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

Pradhan, 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 Pradhan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pradhan in America

Pradhan is the 13564th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pradhan surname appeared 2,236 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 Pradhan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pradhan 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 Pradhan

The surname Pradhan has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, originating in the Sanskrit language. Derived from the word 'pradhan,' which means 'chief' or 'leader,' this surname is closely associated with individuals who held positions of authority or prominence in their communities.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Pradhan can be traced back to the medieval period, with mentions in various historical texts and inscriptions. One notable example is the Pala Empire, which ruled parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 8th to the 12th centuries. Several high-ranking officials and ministers during this time bore the surname Pradhan, reflecting their influential roles in governance.

In the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, there is a reference to a character named Pradhan Mantri, which translates to 'chief minister' or 'prime minister.' This illustrates the long-standing association of the name with positions of leadership and administrative responsibilities.

As the Pradhan surname gained prominence, it spread across various regions of the Indian subcontinent, including present-day India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In some areas, the name underwent slight variations in spelling, such as Pradhan, Pradhan, or Pradhan, but the core meaning and origins remained intact.

Notable individuals with the surname Pradhan throughout history include:

1. Madan Pradhan (1915-1998), a prominent Nepali poet and writer, renowned for his contributions to the literary scene of Nepal.
2. Jagdish Pradhan (1924-2009), an Indian painter and artist, known for his brilliant use of colors and depictions of rural life.
3. Balram Pradhan (1917-2008), a Nepali politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Nepal from 1973 to 1975.
4. Karan Pradhan (born 1978), an Indian film director and screenwriter, known for his critically acclaimed movies exploring social issues.
5. Manisha Pradhan (born 1984), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer, celebrated for her expertise in the Odissi dance form.

While the surname Pradhan has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and association with leadership and authority remain deeply rooted in its etymology and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pradhan

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

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

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

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