2000
#150,436
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 100
First available Census row
Per 100,000 0.04
Very Rare Last name
Thongsavanh
A Lao surname deriving from the Buddhist concept of merit or blessings made.
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 135 Americans carry the last name Thongsavanh. That puts it at #143,511 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,538,921 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Thongsavanh surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, a multi-census history view, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
135
1 in 2,538,921
Census rank
#143,511
2020 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
118
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 118 bearers of the surname Thongsavanh in its 2020 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 143511th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Thongsavanh, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 84.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.8%) and White (5.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Thongsavanh
The surname "THONGSAVANH" originated in Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is a Lao name that dates back several centuries, with its roots likely stemming from the ancient Lao kingdoms and principalities that existed before the modern nation was formed.
The name "THONGSAVANH" is thought to be derived from the Lao language, with "Thong" potentially meaning "gold" or "golden," and "Savanh" referring to a celestial or heavenly realm. Thus, the name could translate to something akin to "golden heaven" or "golden paradise."
Historical records mentioning individuals with the surname "THONGSAVANH" are scarce, as many ancient Lao documents and manuscripts were lost or destroyed over the centuries due to wars, natural disasters, and other calamities. However, some of the earliest known references to the name can be found in local folklore and oral traditions passed down through generations.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "THONGSAVANH" was Thongkham Thongsavanh, a renowned Lao poet and scholar who lived during the late 16th century. His works, which focused on Buddhist teachings and Lao cultural traditions, have been preserved and studied by scholars to this day.
In the 18th century, Thao Thongsavanh was a prominent leader and military commander who played a crucial role in defending the Kingdom of Vientiane against Siamese (Thai) invasions. His bravery and strategic skills were celebrated in Lao historical accounts and served as an inspiration for future generations.
During the 19th century, Khamla Thongsavanh was a respected Buddhist monk and teacher who traveled throughout Laos, spreading the teachings of Buddhism and promoting education and literacy among the people. His efforts helped preserve and promote Lao culture and traditions during a turbulent period in the country's history.
In more recent times, Khampheng Thongsavanh (1928-2017) was a prominent Lao politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for several years in the 1970s and 1980s. He played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining diplomatic relations between Laos and other countries during a crucial period in the nation's history.
Lastly, Khammeung Thongsavanh (born 1961) is a contemporary Lao artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited internationally. His sculptures, which often depict scenes from Lao mythology and folklore, have earned him widespread recognition and have helped to promote Lao culture on a global scale.
While the surname "THONGSAVANH" may not be as widely known as some other Lao names, it has a rich history and cultural significance that spans several centuries. From poets and scholars to military leaders and artists, individuals with this name have played vital roles in shaping and preserving the unique cultural heritage of Laos.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Thongsavanh
Among Census respondents with the surname Thongsavanh, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 84.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.8%) and White (5.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Thongsavanh bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2020 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Percentages are shown for every Census year so the breakdown stays comparable over time. When the source file also includes raw headcounts, Name Census shows those alongside the percentages in the legend.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Thongsavanh surname at the time of the 2020 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander84.7% · 100
- Two or more races6.8% · 8
- White5.1% · 6
- Black or African American1.7% · 2
- Hispanic or Latino1.7% · 2
Timeline
Historical Census data for Thongsavanh
Thongsavanh appears in 3 published Census surname files: 2000, 2010, 2020. The cards below show how the name's rank and bearer count changed across each release.
2010
#153,769
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 106
+6 bearers (+6.0%)
Per 100,000 0.04
Rank movement Down 3,333 places
2020
#143,511
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 118
+12 bearers (+11.3%)
Per 100,000 0.04
Rank movement Up 10,258 places
| Year | Rank | Count | Per 100K | Count change | Rank change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #150,436 | 100 | 0.04 | First available Census row | First available Census row |
| 2010 | #153,769 | 106 | 0.04 | +6 bearers (+6.0%) | Down 3,333 places |
| 2020 | #143,511 | 118 | 0.04 | +12 bearers (+11.3%) | Up 10,258 places |
For 2020, the Census Bureau published race and Hispanic-origin columns as counts rather than percentages. Name Census converts those counts back into shares so the ancestry section stays comparable with the older surname files.
Year on year
2010 vs 2020 Census
How has the Thongsavanh surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
20102020
| Metric | 2010 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #153,769 | #143,511 | 6.7% |
| Count | 106 | 118 | 11.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | -1.3% |
Between the 2010 and 2020 Census, the number of Thongsavanh bearers went from 106 to 118 (+11.3% change). The surname moved up 10,258 positions in the national ranking, going from #153,769 to #143,511.
FAQ
Thongsavanh surname: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. have the surname Thongsavanh?
Name Census estimates that about 135 living Americans carry the surname Thongsavanh. Using the current population baseline, that works out to roughly 1 in 2,538,921 residents.
How common is Thongsavanh?
Thongsavanh ranks #143,511 in the 2020 Census surname tables and is classified on this site as "Very Rare." The Census recorded the name at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, which is about 0 people out of every 100,000.
How many people with this surname were counted in the Census?
The raw 2020 Census file counted 118 people with the surname Thongsavanh. That is different from the site's living-bearer estimate (135), which projects the surname's present-day count by applying the Census frequency rate to the current U.S. population.
What does 0.04 per 100,000 actually mean?
It is the Census Bureau's normalized frequency measure. A rate of 0.04 per 100,000 means that if you picked a random group of 100,000 U.S. residents, you would expect about 0 of them to have the surname Thongsavanh.
Has Thongsavanh become more or less common over time?
Between 2010 and 2020, the surname Thongsavanh went from 106 recorded bearers to 118. That is an increase of 12 (+11.3%). In the national ranking it rose from #153,769 to #143,511.
What does the Census say about the background of Thongsavanh?
Among Census respondents with the surname Thongsavanh, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 84.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.8%) and White (5.1%). These figures come from the 2020 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Which group reports this surname most often?
Asian/Pacific Islander is the largest self-reported group for the surname Thongsavanh in the 2020 Census, accounting for 84.7% (100 people in the source table).
What is the full ancestry breakdown?
Thongsavanh appears across multiple self-reported groups in the Census data. The largest shares in the 2020 file are Asian/Pacific Islander (84.7%), Two or More Races (6.8%), White (5.1%). For 2020, the source file also published raw headcounts for each group, which is why this page can show both percentages and counts in the ancestry section.
Is this page using the latest Census data?
Yes. This page is using the latest surname file currently loaded on Name Census, which is 2020. The historical section above also keeps any older Census surname entries we have for Thongsavanh (2000, 2010, 2020).
Does the Census include every surname?
No. The Census Bureau only publishes surnames that appeared at least 100 times in a given decennial Census. That means very rare surnames are excluded entirely, and a surname can appear in one Census release but disappear from a later one if it falls below the reporting threshold.
Why don't the ancestry percentages always add up to exactly 100%?
There are two main reasons: rounding and suppression. The Census Bureau rounds published values, and it may suppress very small cells to protect privacy. For 2020, the Bureau also published raw group counts rather than direct percentages, so Name Census converts those counts back into shares for comparability across census years.
What does Thongsavanh mean?
A Lao surname deriving from the Buddhist concept of merit or blessings made. The fuller origin note on this page goes into more detail.
Where does the surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These files list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2020 Census, along with a count, a per-100,000 rate, and a self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.
How does Name Census estimate living bearers?
For surnames, Name Census does not age cohorts the way it does for first names. Instead, it takes the Census Bureau's published frequency for Thongsavanh (0.04 per 100,000) and applies that rate to the current U.S. resident population to estimate how many living Americans have the surname today.
How many people are called Thongsavanh?
For a quick modern take, check how many people have the last name Thongsavanh on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.