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

Souvanna, 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 Souvanna surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Souvanna in America

Souvanna is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Souvanna surname appeared 107 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 Souvanna.

The history of the last name Souvanna

The surname SOUVANNA is of Lao origin and is believed to have originated in the 16th century during the reign of the Lan Xang Kingdom in present-day Laos. The name is derived from the Lao word "souvanna," which translates to "gold" or "golden."

In ancient Lao traditions, surnames often reflected a person's occupation, social status, or physical characteristics. It is possible that the SOUVANNA surname was initially bestowed upon individuals who worked with gold or had a golden complexion.

One of the earliest recorded references to the SOUVANNA name can be found in the annals of the Lan Xang Kingdom, where it is mentioned in connection with the ruling elite and nobility. However, specific individuals bearing this surname during that era remain largely undocumented.

In the 19th century, Prince Souvanna Phouma (1901-1984) was a prominent figure in Lao politics and served as the prime minister of the Kingdom of Laos multiple times. He played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from French colonial rule.

Another notable individual with the SOUVANNA surname was Souvanna Khamsing (1925-2010), a Lao diplomat and politician who served as the prime minister of Laos in the 1960s. He was instrumental in navigating the complex political landscape during the Laotian Civil War.

Souvanna Vongsa (1933-2019) was a Lao politician and diplomat who held various positions in the Lao government, including serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 1970s.

In the realm of literature, Souvanna Phouma (1912-1984), a Lao author and poet, is known for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of Lao literature and culture.

Lastly, Souvanna Phinith (born 1953) is a Lao politician who has held several ministerial positions in the Lao government, including serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2020.

While the SOUVANNA surname has its roots in ancient Laos, it continues to be prevalent in modern-day Laos and among the Lao diaspora around the world, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and history associated with this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Souvanna

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

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

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

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