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

Ratnayake, 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 Ratnayake surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ratnayake in America

Ratnayake is the 90853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ratnayake surname appeared 203 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 Ratnayake.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ratnayake 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 Ratnayake

The surname "RATNAYAKE" has its origins in Sri Lanka, deriving from the Sinhalese language. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century, when surnames were becoming more prevalent in the region.

The name "RATNAYAKE" is composed of two elements: "Ratna," meaning "gem" or "precious stone," and "Yake," which is a suffix indicating a person or an individual. Thus, the name can be interpreted as "one who is associated with gems or precious stones," potentially referring to an occupation or trade in the gem industry.

Historical records suggest that the name was particularly common in the central and southern regions of Sri Lanka, where gem mining and trade have been significant industries for centuries. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient Sinhalese manuscripts and inscriptions from the Kandyan Kingdom, which ruled parts of the island from the 15th to the 19th century.

One notable individual bearing the surname "RATNAYAKE" was Don Juan Ratnayake, a prominent Sinhalese chieftain who lived in the late 16th century. He played a crucial role in the resistance against Portuguese colonial rule in Sri Lanka and is remembered as a patriotic leader who fought for the island's independence.

Another notable figure was Mudaliyar Don Philip Ratnayake, who served as the Mudaliyar (a high-ranking administrative position) of the Matara District in the early 19th century during the British colonial period. He was known for his efforts in promoting education and infrastructure development in the region.

In the 20th century, Sir Susantha Ratnayake (1896-1968) was a prominent Sinhalese lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka from 1954 to 1960. He played a significant role in shaping the country's legal system and is remembered for his integrity and commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Mervyn Ratnayake (1935-2018) was a distinguished Sri Lankan diplomat who served as the country's Ambassador to several nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. He was widely respected for his diplomatic skills and contributions to fostering international relations.

Lastly, Arjuna Ratnayake (born 1964) is a prominent Sri Lankan cricketer who represented the national team in both Test and One Day International matches. He was an accomplished all-rounder and is considered one of the best cricketers to have played for Sri Lanka.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ratnayake

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

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

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

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