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

Widjaja, 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 Widjaja surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Widjaja in America

Widjaja is the 27918th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Widjaja surname appeared 859 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 Widjaja.

We can also compare 2010 data for Widjaja 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 Widjaja

The surname Widjaja has its origins in Indonesia, specifically from the Javanese culture. The name is primarily derived from the Old Javanese word "wijaya" or "vijaya," which means "victory" or "successful." This name was often used to signify triumph and excellence, making it a desirable surname for families wishing to convey a sense of pride and achievement.

The origins of the surname can be traced back to the late Hindu-Buddhist period in Java, around the 8th to 15th centuries, when Sanskrit was a significant influence on the Javanese language. The word "wijaya" was prominently used in various royal titles and inscriptions, such as in the name of the Majapahit Kingdom's founder Raden Wijaya, who reigned from 1293 to 1309. This historical context places the name within a broader tradition of high status and nobility.

The surname Widjaja appears in old manuscripts and royal decrees. One significant reference is found in the Pararaton or "Book of Kings," a Javanese chronicle that mentions various royal figures with the name Wijaya. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent, although transliterations into the Roman alphabet have varied between Wijaya, Widjaya, and Widjaja, depending on colonial and modern influences.

The earliest recorded example of the surname in a European context comes from the period of Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia, beginning in the 17th century. Dutch records indicate that members of the Javanese elite carrying the surname Widjaja were involved in local governance and trade, signifying their continued prominence.

One notable historical figure with the surname Widjaja is Oei Tiong Ham (1866–1924), also known as Oei Tjie Sien, a prominent Chinese-Indonesian business tycoon whose family adopted the surname Widjaja to assimilate with local culture. His vast conglomerate, the Oei Tiong Ham Concern, exemplifies the influence and reach of the Widjaja name in Southeast Asia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the 20th century, another prominent figure emerged: Eka Tjipta Widjaja (1923–2019), a Chinese-Indonesian entrepreneur who founded the Sinar Mas Group, one of Indonesia's largest conglomerates. His contributions to various industries, including palm oil, paper, and financial services, have cemented the Widjaja name as a symbol of economic prowess and entrepreneurship.

Widjaja Wiratmaja, an influential Indonesian public official and academic in the mid-20th century, played a significant role in the country's development policies and educational reforms. His work in advancing Indonesia's higher education system is part of the legacy carried by the surname Widjaja.

Another significant figure is Sjafruddin Prawiranegara Widjaja (1911–1989), an Indonesian statesman and economist who served as the Prime Minister of the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia during the Indonesian National Revolution. His leadership and dedication to the country's independence struggle highlight the surname's association with resilience and governance.

The name also appears in the arts, with Tio Tek Djien Widjaja (1896–1975), a prominent figure in the Indonesian theater scene. He contributed to the evolution of traditional Javanese theater, particularly in the adaptation of wayang orang performances for contemporary audiences, ensuring the cultural legacy of the Widjaja name in the arts.

In summary, the surname Widjaja reflects a rich history rooted in ancient Javanese culture, royal heritage, and significant contributions to various fields such as business, governance, education, and the arts. Across centuries, individuals bearing this surname have embodied the qualities of victory and success inherent in its meaning.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Widjaja

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

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

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

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