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

Vishwanathan, 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 Vishwanathan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vishwanathan in America

Vishwanathan is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vishwanathan surname appeared 111 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 Vishwanathan.

The history of the last name Vishwanathan

The surname Vishwanathan has its origins in India, tracing back to the Tamil language and culture of the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is a combination of two Sanskrit words, "Vishwa" meaning universe or cosmos, and "Natha" meaning lord or master. Thus, the name Vishwanathan can be interpreted as "Lord of the Universe" or "Master of the Cosmos."

The earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in ancient Tamil literature and inscriptions dating back to the 7th century CE. During this period, the name was often associated with religious and spiritual leaders, scholars, and philosophers who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and the understanding of the divine.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Vishwanathan was a revered Tamil poet and philosopher named Thiruvalluvar Vishwanathan, who lived in the late 6th or early 7th century CE. His seminal work, the "Thirukkural," is a collection of couplets that explore various aspects of virtue, wealth, and love, and is considered a masterpiece of Tamil literature.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Vishwanathan was Chandrashekhara Vishwanathan, a renowned mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 14th century CE. He made significant contributions to the fields of calculus, trigonometry, and astronomy, and his works influenced generations of scholars in India and beyond.

In the 16th century, a influential Hindu philosopher and spiritual leader named Ramanuja Vishwanathan played a pivotal role in the revival and propagation of the Vishishtadvaita school of Vedanta philosophy. His teachings and writings had a profound impact on the religious and cultural landscape of southern India.

During the colonial era, the surname Vishwanathan gained prominence in the field of education and social reform. One notable figure was Viresalingam Vishwanathan, a pioneering social reformer and educationist who lived in the 19th century. He founded several schools and institutions aimed at promoting education and empowerment for marginalized communities.

In more recent times, the surname Vishwanathan has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, academics, and professionals. One such example is Ravi Vishwanathan, a celebrated contemporary Indian artist known for his vibrant and thought-provoking paintings that blend traditional Indian aesthetics with modern sensibilities.

While the surname Vishwanathan has its roots in the Tamil region of southern India, it has since spread to other parts of the country and even beyond, as people migrated and settled in different regions. However, the name continues to hold significant cultural and spiritual significance, particularly within the Hindu tradition, reflecting its deep-rooted connection to the philosophical and religious heritage of India.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vishwanathan

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

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

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

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