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

Raj, 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 Raj surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Raj in America

Raj is the 11728th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Raj surname appeared 2,672 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 Raj.

We can also compare 2010 data for Raj 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 Raj

The surname "RAJ" has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the northern regions of India and Pakistan. It traces its roots back to the Sanskrit word "raja," which means "king" or "ruler." This name was commonly associated with individuals who held positions of authority or were members of royal families.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "RAJ" can be found in ancient Hindu texts and inscriptions dating back to the 6th century BCE. It was often used as a title or honorific for kings and princes during the Maurya and Gupta empires.

During the medieval period, the surname "RAJ" gained widespread recognition among various ruling dynasties, including the Rajputs and the Mughals. The Rajput clans, known for their valor and military prowess, adopted the title "RAJ" to signify their noble lineage and association with ruling lineages.

In the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, there is a mention of a character named Raja Virata, who was the king of the Matsya Kingdom. This reference highlights the antiquity and historical significance of the name "RAJ" in Indian literature and mythology.

Notable individuals who bore the surname "RAJ" throughout history include Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833), a prominent Indian philosopher and social reformer, and Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906), a celebrated Indian painter known for his iconic depictions of mythological and historical subjects.

Another prominent figure was Raja Jai Singh II (1688-1743), a Rajput king of Amber (present-day Jaipur) and an accomplished astronomer and mathematician. He established the first modern observatory in India and made significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

In the realm of literature, Raja Rao (1908-2006), an Indian writer and philosopher, gained recognition for his innovative novels that explored the themes of cultural identity and spirituality. His works, such as "Kanthapura" and "The Serpent and the Rope," are considered seminal in the Indian English literary tradition.

Raja Ramanna (1925-2004), an Indian nuclear physicist, played a crucial role in the development of India's nuclear program. He was the chief executive of the team that conducted India's first successful nuclear test in 1974, known as the "Smiling Buddha."

While the surname "RAJ" has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Indian history and tradition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Raj

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

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

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

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