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

Sahoo, 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 Sahoo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sahoo in America

Sahoo is the 39164th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sahoo surname appeared 562 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 Sahoo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sahoo 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 Sahoo

The surname SAHOO originates from the Indian subcontinent, with its roots tracing back to the ancient Brahmin community of Odisha, a state located on the eastern coast of India. The name is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sahaya,' which translates to 'companion' or 'aide.'

In the early centuries of the first millennium, the SAHOO surname was primarily associated with individuals who held prestigious positions as advisors or assistants to kings and noblemen. These individuals were highly respected for their intellectual prowess and their ability to provide counsel on various matters of state.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SAHOO surname can be found in the Madala Panji, a historical chronicle of the Gajapati dynasty of Odisha, dating back to the 15th century. This text mentions several SAHOO families who held influential roles within the royal court.

During the Mughal era, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th centuries, the SAHOO name gained further prominence. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Gopal Sahoo (1570-1640), a renowned scholar and poet who served as a courtier under the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

As the centuries progressed, the SAHOO surname spread beyond the boundaries of Odisha, with families bearing this name establishing themselves across various regions of India. One such figure was Ramachandra Sahoo (1825-1890), a prominent social reformer and educator who played a pivotal role in establishing modern educational institutions in the state of Bihar.

Another illustrious SAHOO was Madhusudan Sahoo (1880-1952), a pioneering artist and sculptor who is widely credited with reviving the traditional Odia art forms of pattachitra and palm leaf engravings. His works were displayed at several prestigious exhibitions, including the Indian Art Exhibition held in London in 1947.

In more recent times, the SAHOO surname has continued to be associated with individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. Notably, Bijayalaxmi Sahoo (1918-2003) was a renowned Odia writer and poet who received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor.

While the SAHOO surname has its roots in the ancient traditions of India, it has also transcended geographical boundaries, with individuals bearing this name making their mark across the globe in diverse areas such as business, academia, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sahoo

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

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

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

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