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Rare Last name

Sara

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "traveler".

According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,234 Americans carry the last name Sara. That puts it at #23,768 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.36 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 277,759 residents).

This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sara surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.

Bearers in the US

1.2K

1 in 277,759

Census rank

#23,768

2010 decennial data

Per 100,000

0.4

Frequency rate

Recorded bearers

1.1K

rare in the US

Popularity narrative

The Census Bureau recorded 1,064 bearers of the surname Sara in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.36 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 23768th position in the national surname ranking.

Among Census respondents with the surname Sara, the largest self-reported group is White at 69.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (13.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (10.5%).

Origin

Meaning and origin of Sara

The surname SARA has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of India and Pakistan. It can be traced back to the Sanskrit word "सारथी" (sārathi), which means "charioteer" or "one who drives a chariot." This name was historically associated with the warrior class and those who played a crucial role in ancient battles, often accompanying kings and princes into combat while driving their chariots.

SARA is believed to have first appeared as a surname during the medieval period, when it was adopted by families whose ancestors were charioteers or held similar occupations related to transportation and warfare. The name is found in various historical records and manuscripts from that era, including Persian and Arabic texts that document the exploits of notable warriors and military leaders.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname SARA can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text mentions several individuals with the surname SARA who held prominent positions in the imperial court and military.

In the 17th century, a renowned warrior named Daulat Khan SARA gained recognition for his bravery and military prowess during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. He was appointed as the governor of several provinces and played a significant role in quelling rebellions and defending the empire's territories.

Another notable figure with the surname SARA was Mirza Haider Beg SARA, a 17th-century poet and scholar who served as a courtier under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. His literary works, including poetry and historical accounts, are still studied and acclaimed today.

During the 18th century, the SARA surname gained prominence in the region of Punjab, where several families with this name held influential positions in local administration and military affairs. One such individual was Sardar Gurmukh Singh SARA, a powerful chieftain who commanded a contingent of cavalry during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire.

In the 19th century, the SARA surname became associated with various place names in the Indian subcontinent, such as Saradhana, Sarai, and Sarahpur, which were derived from the name or were named after individuals bearing this surname.

Over the centuries, the SARA surname has been spelled in various ways, including Sarra, Sarraa, and Sarrah, reflecting regional variations and linguistic influences. Despite these variations, the name's connection to its ancient roots as a representation of courage, leadership, and military prowess has remained a consistent theme throughout its history.

Demographics

Ancestry and ethnicity for Sara

Among Census respondents with the surname Sara, the largest self-reported group is White at 69.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (13.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (10.5%).

The bar chart below shows how Sara bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.

Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Sara surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.

  • White69.1%
  • Hispanic or Latino13.5%
  • Asian and Pacific Islander10.5%
  • Black or African American4.6%
  • Two or more races1.5%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%

Year on year

2010 vs 2010 Census

How has the Sara surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.

Census year comparison

20102010
Bearer countPer 100,000 residents20102010201020101,0641,0640.40.4
Metric 2010 2010 Change
Rank #23,768 #23,768 0.0%
Count 1,064 1,064 0.0%
Per 100K 0.36 0.36 0.0%

Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Sara bearers went from 1,064 to 1,064 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #23,768 to #23,768.

Notable bearers

Famous people with the surname Sara

FAQ

Sara surname: questions and answers

How common is the last name Sara?

The surname Sara holds position #23,768 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,234 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.36 per 100,000 Americans.

What is the ethnic background of the Sara surname?

Among Census respondents with the surname Sara, the largest self-reported group is White at 69.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (13.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (10.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.

Where does this surname data come from?

All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.

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