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

Rathnam, 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 Rathnam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rathnam in America

Rathnam is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rathnam surname appeared 115 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 Rathnam.

The history of the last name Rathnam

The surname RATHNAM is of Indian origin, specifically from the Tamil-speaking regions of southern India. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 9th or 10th century CE.

The name RATHNAM is derived from the Tamil words "Rathinam" or "Rathnam," which means "gem" or "precious stone." It is likely that the surname was initially given to individuals who were involved in the gemstone trade or jewellery-making profession.

In ancient Tamil literature, such as the Sangam period works, there are references to individuals bearing names related to precious stones or gemstones, suggesting that the practice of using such names was prevalent in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name RATHNAM can be found in the inscriptions of the Chola Dynasty, which ruled parts of southern India between the 9th and 13th centuries CE. These inscriptions often mentioned individuals involved in royal services or administration, some of whom bore the surname RATHNAM.

During the medieval period, the name RATHNAM was also associated with several notable figures in Tamil literature and arts. One such figure was Rathnam Aiyar, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in the 16th century CE and was patronized by the Nayak rulers of Madurai.

Another prominent individual with the surname RATHNAM was Rathnam Pillai, a merchant and philanthropist who lived in the 18th century CE. He was known for his contributions to the construction of temples and educational institutions in the city of Kumbakonam.

In the 19th century, Rathnam Iyer, a Tamil scholar and educator, played a significant role in the revival of traditional Tamil literature and the promotion of education in the region.

Other notable individuals with the surname RATHNAM include Rathnam Bhagavathar, a renowned Carnatic vocalist who lived in the early 20th century, and Rathnam Kenath, a freedom fighter and social reformer who actively participated in the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century.

Overall, the surname RATHNAM has a rich historical legacy in southern India, particularly in the Tamil-speaking regions. It is associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, arts, education, and social reform.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rathnam

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

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

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

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