Shrestha
A Nepalese surname indicating a high caste, originally derived from the Sanskrit word "shreshtha," meaning "the best."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 6,444 Americans carry the last name Shrestha. That puts it at #6,180 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.88 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 53,190 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Shrestha 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
6.4K
1 in 53,190
Census rank
#6,180
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.9
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
5.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 5,535 bearers of the surname Shrestha in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.88 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 6180th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Shrestha, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 94.2%. The next largest groups are White (3.0%) and Two or More Races (1.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Shrestha
The surname Shrestha originated in Nepal and has its roots in the Sanskrit language. It is derived from the word "Shreshtha," which means "excellent" or "superior." The name was initially used to denote individuals of high social status or those belonging to the elite class in ancient Nepali society.
The earliest known references to the Shrestha surname can be traced back to the Licchavis, a powerful dynasty that ruled the Kathmandu Valley from the 3rd to the 9th century AD. During this period, the Shrestha name was associated with members of the ruling class and influential families.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the Shrestha name can be found in the Gopalraj Vamshavali, a historical manuscript dating back to the 14th century. This text mentions several prominent individuals bearing the Shrestha surname, including Araniko (1245-1306), a renowned Nepali artist and architect who worked in China during the Yuan Dynasty.
The Shrestha surname was also documented in various manuscripts and chronicles from the Malla period (12th to 18th century), when the Kathmandu Valley was divided into three independent kingdoms. Prominent figures from this era included Jaya Sthiti Malla (1382-1395), the ruler of Bhaktapur, and Ratna Malla (1484-1520), the king of Kantipur (present-day Kathmandu).
During the Shah Dynasty (1768-2008), the Shrestha surname continued to be associated with influential families and individuals. One notable figure was Kaji Kalu Pandey Shrestha (1838-1900), a prominent military leader and statesman who played a crucial role in the unification of Nepal.
Other famous individuals with the Shrestha surname include Balram Shrestha (1915-2004), a renowned Nepali writer and poet, and Pushpa Lal Shrestha (1923-2012), a respected historian and scholar who made significant contributions to the preservation of Nepali culture and heritage.
Throughout its history, the Shrestha surname has maintained its association with prestige and excellence, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Nepal.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Shrestha
Among Census respondents with the surname Shrestha, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 94.2%. The next largest groups are White (3.0%) and Two or More Races (1.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Shrestha 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 Shrestha surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander94.2%
- White3.0%
- Two or more races1.7%
- Hispanic or Latino0.6%
- Black or African American0.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Shrestha surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #6,180 | #6,180 | 0.0% |
| Count | 5,535 | 5,535 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.88 | 1.88 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Shrestha bearers went from 5,535 to 5,535 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #6,180 to #6,180.
FAQ
Shrestha surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Shrestha?
The surname Shrestha holds position #6,180 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 6,444 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.88 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Shrestha surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Shrestha, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 94.2%. The next largest groups are White (3.0%) and Two or More Races (1.7%). 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.