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

Thapa, 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 Thapa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Thapa in America

Thapa is the 13148th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Thapa surname appeared 2,328 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Thapa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Thapa 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 Thapa

The surname Thapa is of Nepali origin, with roots tracing back several centuries. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word 'sthapaka,' which means 'one who establishes or founds.' This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who played a significant role in establishing settlements or communities.

The Thapa surname is predominant among the Khas people, an ethnic group native to the western and central regions of Nepal. Historical records indicate that the Thapa clan held influential positions in various Nepalese kingdoms, particularly during the Gorkha Kingdom era (1559–1768).

One of the earliest documented mentions of the Thapa name can be found in the chronicles of the Nepalese royal court during the 16th century. Amar Singh Thapa, a renowned military commander and statesman, played a crucial role in the unification of Nepal under the Gorkha Empire in the late 18th century.

Another notable figure from the Thapa lineage was Bhimsen Thapa (1775–1839), who served as the prime minister of Nepal and commander-in-chief of the Nepalese army during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816). His strategic leadership and diplomatic skills were instrumental in shaping Nepal's political landscape during that period.

In the late 19th century, Ranodip Singh Thapa (1841–1892) gained prominence as a revered poet and writer. His literary works, particularly his poems, are considered significant contributions to Nepali literature and have been widely celebrated.

The Thapa surname has also been associated with various place names across Nepal, such as Thapatoli and Thapal Danda, further solidifying its deep-rooted presence in the region's cultural and geographical landscape.

Other notable individuals bearing the Thapa surname include Prachanda Man Singh Thapa (1797–1858), a military leader and statesman; Bhupi Shamsher Rana Thapa (1797–1858), a distinguished general; and Gagan Singh Thapa (1822–1876), a renowned warrior and military commander.

While the Thapa surname has its origins in Nepal, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. Individuals carrying this surname can be found in various countries, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and historical significance of this ancient name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Thapa

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

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

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

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