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

Wijaya, 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 Wijaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wijaya in America

Wijaya is the 47356th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wijaya surname appeared 448 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 Wijaya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wijaya 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 Wijaya

The surname Wijaya finds its origins in the Sanskrit word "Vijaya," which means "victory." This surname is predominantly found in Indonesia and has strong historical and cultural connections to the regions of Java and Bali. The earliest references to Wijaya can be traced back to ancient Indian texts, brought to the Indonesian archipelago through early trade routes and cultural exchanges.

The name Wijaya became prominent during the late Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms in Java. One of the earliest notable mentions is from the Majapahit Empire, a powerful thalassocracy in Southeast Asia that existed from 1293 to circa 1500. The empire's founder, Raden Wijaya, adopted the name following his conquest and establishment of the kingdom. He was an important figure in Indonesian history, born around 1275 and passing away in 1309. His full name was Kertarajasa Jayawardhana, with Wijaya being a sobriquet highlighting his victorious journey to power.

During the period of the Majapahit Empire, the name Wijaya was often associated with royalty and elite warrior classes. Manuscripts and inscriptions from this era, such as the Nagarakretagama from 1365, make several references to individuals with the surname, showcasing its prominence. These records confirm the widespread respect and honor the name garnered within the Javanese courts.

Moving forward to the 15th and 16th centuries, the name continued to be of notable standing. An influential figure bearing the name was Sunan Ampel (Raden Rahmat), a revered religious leader in Java who played a substantial role in the spread of Islam across the archipelago. Born in 1401 and passing away in 1481, his descendants continued to bear the Wijaya surname, solidifying its enduring status through various societal changes.

Another prominent historical figure with the surname is Sultan Agung of Mataram, whose full name was Sultan Agung Adi Prabu Hanyakrakusuma. Though born with a different surname, he chose to adopt Wijaya during his reign from 1613 to 1645. This adoption was a symbolic gesture, signifying the "victorious" nature of his rule and contributions to unifying central Javanese territories under his dominion.

Further usage of the surname can be observed during the colonial period in Indonesia, when figures such as Prince Diponegoro waged significant resistance against Dutch forces. Though not bearing the surname himself, many of his loyal followers and military strategists were of the Wijaya lineage, reinforcing the name's association with resistance and resilience.

The Wijaya surname has thus traversed through centuries, from ancient Sanskrit roots to significant historical epochs in Indonesia. Its connections to victory, leadership, and resistance are encapsulated in the lives of figures such as Raden Wijaya, Sunan Ampel, and Sultan Agung. The enduring legacy of this surname continues to be a marker of historical and cultural significance in Indonesia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wijaya

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

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

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

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