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

Sila, 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 Sila surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sila in America

Sila is the 67943rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sila surname appeared 290 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 Sila.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sila 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 Sila

The surname SILA is believed to have originated in India, with roots tracing back to the 16th century or earlier. It is a name of Sanskrit origin, derived from the word "sila," which means "good conduct" or "virtuous behavior." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to denote individuals who were known for their upstanding character and moral principles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SILA surname can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was sometimes used as a title or honorific for individuals who displayed exemplary ethical conduct. However, it is unclear precisely when the transition from a descriptive title to a hereditary surname occurred.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the SILA name appeared in various historical records and documents from various regions of India, particularly in areas where Sanskrit-derived names were prevalent. Notable individuals bearing the SILA surname during this period include Pandit Shri Ram Sila, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the late 17th century, and Rani Sila Devi, a prominent queen and patron of the arts in the 18th century Maratha Empire.

As the British colonial presence in India grew stronger in the 19th century, the SILA surname became more widely documented in official records and census data. One notable figure from this era was Sir Sarabjit Sila, a distinguished judge and legal scholar who served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court in the late 19th century.

In the 20th century, the SILA surname continued to be found across India, with individuals bearing this name making contributions in various fields. Prominent examples include Dr. Satish Sila, a pioneering medical researcher who made significant advancements in the treatment of infectious diseases, and Vijay Sila, a celebrated writer and poet whose works explored themes of social justice and human rights.

Other notable individuals with the SILA surname throughout history include Ravi Sila, a renowned classical musician and composer from the 18th century; Asha Sila, a prominent educator and social reformer of the late 19th century; and Amit Sila, a celebrated architect and urban planner of the mid-20th century.

While the SILA surname has its roots in India, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical records and accounts suggest that the name's origins can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent, where it has been associated with individuals known for their virtuous character and ethical conduct.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sila

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

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

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

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