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

Sunil, 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 Sunil surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sunil in America

Sunil is the 79598th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sunil surname appeared 239 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 Sunil.

The history of the last name Sunil

The surname SUNIL originated in India and is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "Sunya," which means "an excellent person." It is a widely-used name among Hindus and Sikhs, particularly in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent.

The earliest recorded instances of the SUNIL surname can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often used as a honorific title or a descriptor for individuals of high moral standing and virtue. In the 12th century, the name appeared in various inscriptions and historical records from the Rajput and Maratha dynasties.

One of the earliest known individuals with the SUNIL surname was Sunil Devi, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in the 14th century during the reign of the Delhi Sultanate. His works, which explored themes of spirituality and wisdom, are still studied and revered by scholars today.

In the 16th century, the SUNIL name gained prominence with the rise of the Mughal Empire. Sunil Khan, a prominent military commander and advisor to Emperor Akbar, played a pivotal role in several military campaigns and is remembered for his strategic acumen and loyalty.

During the British colonial era in India, the SUNIL surname continued to be widely used, and several individuals bearing this name made significant contributions to various fields. One notable figure was Sunil Babu Rao, a social reformer and educator who worked tirelessly to promote women's education and uplift underprivileged communities in the late 19th century.

In more recent times, the SUNIL surname has been associated with several accomplished individuals across various disciplines. Sunil Gavaskar, born in 1949, is a legendary cricketer and former captain of the Indian national team, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Another prominent figure is Sunil Bharti Mittal, born in 1957, the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, one of India's largest conglomerates. His entrepreneurial vision and business acumen have made him a leading figure in the telecommunications industry globally.

Sunil Khilnani, born in 1960, is a renowned historian and author who has written extensively on the history and politics of India, including the acclaimed book "The Idea of India." His works have received critical acclaim and have contributed significantly to our understanding of the subcontinent's complex past and present.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sunil

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

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

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

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