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

Soundara, 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 Soundara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Soundara in America

Soundara is the 60636th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Soundara surname appeared 332 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 Soundara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Soundara 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 Soundara

The surname Soundara has its origins in South India, particularly in the Tamil-speaking regions of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 9th or 10th century AD.

Soundara is derived from the Sanskrit word "sundara," which means beautiful or handsome. It was likely used as a descriptive name or nickname initially, perhaps referring to someone with a pleasing appearance or demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the inscriptions of the Chola dynasty, a prominent ruling family in southern India between the 9th and 13th centuries. These inscriptions mention individuals with the name Soundara or variations like Sundara, suggesting its use during that period.

The name Soundara has also been associated with several notable historical figures. One example is Soundara Rajan, a 13th-century Tamil poet and scholar who authored the literary work "Harivamsa Purana." Another is Soundara Pandian, a 14th-century ruler of the Pandyan Kingdom, known for his patronage of art and literature.

In the 15th century, the name appears in the writings of the poet-saint Arunagirinathar, who composed devotional hymns in praise of Lord Murugan. One of his works mentions a devotee named Soundara Nayaki, indicating the use of the name during that time.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Soundara was prevalent among the Nayak rulers of the Tamil-speaking regions. One notable figure was Soundara Nayak, a ruler of the Madurai Nayak dynasty, who reigned from 1623 to 1636 and was known for his architectural contributions, including the construction of the Thirumalai Nayak Palace.

In the realm of literature, Soundara Kavi, a 17th-century Tamil poet and scholar, is remembered for his poetic works, including the "Soundara Kanda Satakam," which celebrates the beauty of Lord Rama and Sita.

Another historical figure bearing the name Soundara was Soundara Rajan, a 19th-century scholar and educator from Tamil Nadu, who played a significant role in promoting education and social reforms during the British colonial era.

While the surname Soundara has its roots in South India, it has since spread to other regions due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins can be traced back to the Tamil-speaking regions, where it has been prevalent for centuries, often associated with individuals renowned for their contributions to literature, art, and governance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Soundara

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

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

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

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