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

Wadhwa, 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 Wadhwa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wadhwa in America

Wadhwa is the 27435th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wadhwa surname appeared 879 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 Wadhwa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wadhwa 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 Wadhwa

The surname WADHWA has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of India. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "vad," meaning "to speak" or "to praise," combined with the suffix "hwa," which denotes a person or an agent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name WADHWA can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often used to refer to individuals with exceptional oratory skills or those who were skilled in the art of recitation and storytelling. The name is closely associated with the brahmin caste, which traditionally held positions as scholars, priests, and educators.

In the 16th century, the WADHWA name appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, particularly in regions of present-day Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Some notable individuals with this surname during this period include Pandit Shri Ram WADHWA, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and Gopal WADHWA, a celebrated musician and composer who is credited with contributing to the development of classical Indian music.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the WADHWA name gained prominence in various parts of northern India. One significant figure was Lala Baijnath WADHWA (1786-1864), a prominent trader and philanthropist from Delhi, who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Hindu College, now known as the Delhi College.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the WADHWA surname made significant contributions in various fields. Shri Krishna WADHWA (1920-1998) was a renowned Indian diplomat and served as the ambassador to several countries, including the United States and the Soviet Union. Sushila WADHWA (1922-2008) was a celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist and received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from the Government of India.

Another notable figure is Dr. Narendra Prasad WADHWA (1932-2019), a distinguished scientist and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of plant biology and genetics. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of Kumaun University and was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.

The surname WADHWA continues to be prevalent in various parts of northern India, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan. While the name has its roots in ancient Sanskrit and Hindu traditions, it has transcended religious and cultural boundaries and is now found among diverse communities across the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wadhwa

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

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

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

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