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

Saji, 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 Saji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Saji in America

Saji is the 70833rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Saji surname appeared 276 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 Saji.

The history of the last name Saji

The surname Saji is believed to have originated in India, specifically in the South Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where it has been traced back to the 16th century. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "saji," which means "companion" or "associate."

Saji was initially used as a title or honorific for individuals who served as companions or advisors to royalty or influential figures. Over time, it became a hereditary surname, passed down through generations within certain communities and families.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Saji can be found in ancient palm leaf manuscripts and inscriptions from the region, where individuals with this name were mentioned in connection with various noble households and royal courts.

In the 17th century, the Saji family is believed to have played a significant role in the cultural and literary circles of Kerala, with several members making notable contributions to the field of literature and poetry. Ravi Varma Saji (1588-1672), a renowned poet and scholar, is considered one of the earliest and most prominent figures associated with this surname.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Saji surname gained prominence in various parts of South India, particularly among communities involved in trade, agriculture, and administrative roles. Prominent individuals bearing this surname include Krishnan Saji (1756-1824), a respected landowner and philanthropist, and Govinda Saji (1801-1879), a distinguished scholar and educator.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the surname Saji made their mark in various fields, such as politics, business, and the arts. Notably, Rajan Saji (1924-2002) was a influential politician and social activist who played a pivotal role in the state's political landscape, while Sanjay Saji (1952-2018) was a renowned artist and sculptor whose works were exhibited internationally.

Other notable figures include Anita Saji (born 1968), a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, and Vishnu Saji (born 1980), a celebrated author and playwright whose works have received critical acclaim.

While the surname Saji has its roots in South India, it has since spread to other parts of the country and across the globe, carried by individuals and families who have migrated or settled in different regions over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Saji

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!