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

Prasad, 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 Prasad surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Prasad in America

Prasad is the 4107th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Prasad surname appeared 8,638 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Prasad.

We can also compare 2010 data for Prasad 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 Prasad

The surname "PRASAD" has its origins in India, where it is believed to have first emerged during the medieval period. It is a Sanskrit word that translates to "a gift" or "a blessing," suggesting that the name may have initially been given to those who were considered fortunate or blessed.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "PRASAD" can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, where it was often used as a title or an honorific for individuals who were revered for their spiritual wisdom or religious devotion. One notable example is the 15th-century Hindu philosopher and saint, Ramananda Prasad, who played a significant role in the Bhakti movement and influenced several prominent figures of his time.

As the name spread across various regions of India, it underwent minor variations in spelling and pronunciation, with some common variations including "Prasadh," "Prasaad," and "Prashad." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and linguistic traditions.

Throughout history, there have been several prominent individuals who bore the surname "PRASAD." One such figure was Rajendra Prasad, who served as the first President of independent India from 1950 to 1962. Born in 1884, he was a prominent lawyer, scholar, and political leader who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement.

Another notable figure was Biresh Prasad Gupta, an Indian mathematician and statistician who made significant contributions to the field of probability theory. Born in 1917, he is widely recognized for his work on the theory of ordered random variables and stochastic processes.

In the realm of literature, Amarnath Prasad was a renowned Hindi writer and poet who lived from 1916 to 2005. He was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1978 for his novel "Aaj Ke Atmakath."

Govind Prasad Sarma, born in 1880, was a prominent Indian historian and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Indian history and culture. His works, such as "Hindu Culture and the Modern Age," provided valuable insights into the rich heritage of India.

Additionally, Balmukund Prasad was an influential Indian journalist and writer who lived from 1891 to 1976. He served as the editor of several prominent newspapers and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion during India's struggle for independence.

While the surname "PRASAD" is predominantly found in India, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the historical records and references mentioned above provide a glimpse into the rich heritage and significance of this name within the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Prasad

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

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

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

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