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

Vivek, 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 Vivek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vivek in America

Vivek is the 133863rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vivek surname appeared 126 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 Vivek.

The history of the last name Vivek

The surname Vivek originated in India, likely emerging in the medieval period around the 10th to 12th centuries CE. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "viveka," which means discernment, wisdom, or discrimination. The name is closely associated with the Hindu philosophical tradition and the concept of attaining spiritual enlightenment through discriminating between the eternal and the transient.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Vivek can be found in ancient Sanskrit texts and inscriptions from the Indian subcontinent. These texts often mention sages, scholars, and philosophers bearing this name, reflecting their pursuit of knowledge and spiritual wisdom.

In the 12th century, a renowned poet and philosopher named Vidyapati Vivek (1352-1448) gained prominence in the Maithili literary tradition of the Mithila region, which is now part of Bihar and Nepal. His poetic works, infused with philosophical insights, are considered literary masterpieces and have had a lasting impact on the cultural heritage of the region.

During the Mughal era in India, from the 16th to the 19th century, several individuals with the surname Vivek held important positions in the imperial courts. One notable figure was Ranjit Vivek (1780-1839), a skilled administrator and military commander who served under the Maratha ruler Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur.

In the 19th century, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), born Narendranath Datta, became one of the most influential spiritual leaders and philosophers of modern India. Although Vivekananda was not his surname, he adopted the name to reflect his dedication to the pursuit of viveka or spiritual discernment.

Another prominent bearer of the surname Vivek was Pandit Shyam Lal Vivek (1868-1946), a renowned scholar of Sanskrit and Vedic studies. He contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of ancient Indian literature and philosophy through his writings and teachings.

Throughout history, the surname Vivek has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including philosophy, literature, spirituality, and administration. The name carries a rich heritage and symbolizes the pursuit of wisdom, discernment, and enlightenment in the Indian cultural tradition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vivek

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

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

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

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