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

Rajan, 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 Rajan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rajan in America

Rajan is the 14893rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rajan surname appeared 1,987 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 Rajan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rajan 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 Rajan

The surname Rajan has its origins in India, with the earliest recorded examples dating back several centuries. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Raja," which means "king" or "ruler." This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been members of the ruling class or aristocracy.

One of the oldest known references to the name Rajan can be found in ancient Hindu texts, such as the Vedas and the Puranas. These sacred scriptures mention various kings and rulers with the title "Rajan," indicating the name's long-standing association with royalty and power.

During the medieval period, the name Rajan was particularly prevalent in the southern regions of India, including the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Historical records from this era, such as inscriptions on temple walls and royal chronicles, often mention individuals bearing the name Rajan.

One notable figure from this time was Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529), the celebrated ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. He was widely known by his title "Sri Krishnadevaraya Rajan," a testament to the significance of the name Rajan in the context of kingship and sovereignty.

In the 16th century, the name Rajan also gained prominence in parts of northern India, particularly in the region of Rajasthan. The Rajput clans, known for their warrior traditions, occasionally adopted the name Rajan as a symbol of their military prowess and leadership.

Another historical figure of note was Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833), a prominent Indian renaissance man and social reformer. He played a pivotal role in the abolition of the practice of Sati (widow burning) and the establishment of the Brahmo Samaj, a progressive religious movement.

As the centuries progressed, the name Rajan spread across various regions of India, and individuals from diverse backgrounds adopted it. One such individual was C. Rajagopalachari (1878-1972), a prominent Indian freedom fighter, statesman, and the last Governor-General of India before independence.

It is worth noting that while the name Rajan has its roots in India, it has also been adopted by communities in other parts of the world, particularly among the Indian diaspora. However, the core significance of the name remains tied to its Indian origins and the historical connotations of kingship and nobility.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rajan

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

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

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

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