2000
#89,549
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 192
First available Census row
Per 100,000 0.07
Very Rare Last name
Xayarath
A surname possibly derived from the Thai language, potentially indicating geographical or ethnic origins.
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 306 Americans carry the last name Xayarath. That puts it at #77,462 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,120,112 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Xayarath surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, a multi-census history view, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
306
1 in 1,120,112
Census rank
#77,462
2020 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
267
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 267 bearers of the surname Xayarath in its 2020 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 77462nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Xayarath, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (7.5%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Xayarath
The surname Xayarath is of Laotian origin, emerging out of the culturally rich and linguistically diverse context of Laos. The name Xayarath traces back to the Lao language, where it is derived from the elements "Xaya" and "rath," which can be interpreted to mean "victorious" and "kingdom" or "nation" respectively. When combined, the name could be understood to signify "victorious nation" or "triumphant realm."
Xayarath has its roots deeply embedded in the regions of present-day Laos and northeastern Thailand. The surname gained prevalence among families in these areas, which were influenced by both Theravada Buddhist traditions and the historical socio-political structures of the Lan Xang kingdom, which flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Although exact historical records distinguishing the surname are sparse, it is within this historical and cultural framework that the Xayarath name emerged and proliferated.
Historically, Lao names were often adapted and modified as families moved, especially during periods of political instability and migration. Alternative spellings and phonetic variations can sometimes be found in historical texts, although the core element of "Xaya" remains consistent. Manuscripts and records from local Buddhist temples often showcase genealogies, but these are typically kept within local archives and are not as widely disseminated or digitized as European records.
The earliest recorded usage of the surname Xayarath can be traced to the mid-19th century, as the influence of French colonial administration began to systematize documentation in Laos. One notable individual is Somchai Xayarath, born in 1875, who was a prominent figure in the local administration during the French protectorate period, contributing significantly to local governance and administration until his death in 1932.
Another significant bearer of the name was Pheng Xayarath, born in 1901, who played an essential role as an educator and reformist, advocating for educational improvements in rural Laotian communities. His efforts led to the establishment of several primary schools, profoundly impacting literacy rates in the region until his passing in 1968.
In the realm of culture and arts, Khamphoui Xayarath, born in 1920, was a celebrated traditional Lao musician specializing in the khene, a traditional bamboo mouth organ. Khamphoui's music preserved and propagated the unique folkloric elements of Lao culture internationally until his death in 1981.
Sompho Xayarath, a prominent figure in the Lao political landscape, born in 1938, made significant contributions to the development of national policies during the tumultuous period of the late 20th century. His political career saw him championing critical agrarian reforms until his death in 2005.
Lastly, Dr. Bounmy Xayarath, born in 1952, is renowned for his contributions to the field of medicine in Laos, particularly in pediatric care. His innovations and dedication to improving healthcare in rural areas have earned him national acclaim, continuing the legacy of the Xayarath name into modern times, though historical contributions remain more the focus.
In summary, the surname Xayarath, rooted in Laotian culture and history, emerges as a significant identifier that captures the essence of a "victorious nation." Through the lives of individuals bearing the name, spanning from the 19th-century local governance to contributions in education, music, politics, and healthcare, the Xayarath surname embodies a legacy of resilience, cultural preservation, and societal contribution.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Xayarath
Among Census respondents with the surname Xayarath, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (7.5%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Xayarath bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2020 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Percentages are shown for every Census year so the breakdown stays comparable over time. When the source file also includes raw headcounts, Name Census shows those alongside the percentages in the legend.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Xayarath surname at the time of the 2020 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander88.0% · 235
- Two or more races7.5% · 20
- Hispanic or Latino1.9% · 5
- White1.5% · 4
- Black or African American0.7% · 2
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4% · 1
Timeline
Historical Census data for Xayarath
Xayarath appears in 3 published Census surname files: 2000, 2010, 2020. The cards below show how the name's rank and bearer count changed across each release.
2010
#79,846
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 238
+46 bearers (+24.0%)
Per 100,000 0.08
Rank movement Up 9,703 places
2020
#77,462
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 267
+29 bearers (+12.2%)
Per 100,000 0.09
Rank movement Up 2,384 places
| Year | Rank | Count | Per 100K | Count change | Rank change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #89,549 | 192 | 0.07 | First available Census row | First available Census row |
| 2010 | #79,846 | 238 | 0.08 | +46 bearers (+24.0%) | Up 9,703 places |
| 2020 | #77,462 | 267 | 0.09 | +29 bearers (+12.2%) | Up 2,384 places |
For 2020, the Census Bureau published race and Hispanic-origin columns as counts rather than percentages. Name Census converts those counts back into shares so the ancestry section stays comparable with the older surname files.
Year on year
2010 vs 2020 Census
How has the Xayarath surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
20102020
| Metric | 2010 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #79,846 | #77,462 | 3.0% |
| Count | 238 | 267 | 12.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.09 | 11.7% |
Between the 2010 and 2020 Census, the number of Xayarath bearers went from 238 to 267 (+12.2% change). The surname moved up 2,384 positions in the national ranking, going from #79,846 to #77,462.
FAQ
Xayarath surname: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. have the surname Xayarath?
Name Census estimates that about 306 living Americans carry the surname Xayarath. Using the current population baseline, that works out to roughly 1 in 1,120,112 residents.
How common is Xayarath?
Xayarath ranks #77,462 in the 2020 Census surname tables and is classified on this site as "Very Rare." The Census recorded the name at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, which is about 0 people out of every 100,000.
How many people with this surname were counted in the Census?
The raw 2020 Census file counted 267 people with the surname Xayarath. That is different from the site's living-bearer estimate (306), which projects the surname's present-day count by applying the Census frequency rate to the current U.S. population.
What does 0.09 per 100,000 actually mean?
It is the Census Bureau's normalized frequency measure. A rate of 0.09 per 100,000 means that if you picked a random group of 100,000 U.S. residents, you would expect about 0 of them to have the surname Xayarath.
Has Xayarath become more or less common over time?
Between 2010 and 2020, the surname Xayarath went from 238 recorded bearers to 267. That is an increase of 29 (+12.2%). In the national ranking it rose from #79,846 to #77,462.
What does the Census say about the background of Xayarath?
Among Census respondents with the surname Xayarath, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (7.5%) and Hispanic (1.9%). These figures come from the 2020 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Which group reports this surname most often?
Asian/Pacific Islander is the largest self-reported group for the surname Xayarath in the 2020 Census, accounting for 88.0% (235 people in the source table).
What is the full ancestry breakdown?
Xayarath appears across multiple self-reported groups in the Census data. The largest shares in the 2020 file are Asian/Pacific Islander (88.0%), Two or More Races (7.5%), Hispanic (1.9%). For 2020, the source file also published raw headcounts for each group, which is why this page can show both percentages and counts in the ancestry section.
Is this page using the latest Census data?
Yes. This page is using the latest surname file currently loaded on Name Census, which is 2020. The historical section above also keeps any older Census surname entries we have for Xayarath (2000, 2010, 2020).
Does the Census include every surname?
No. The Census Bureau only publishes surnames that appeared at least 100 times in a given decennial Census. That means very rare surnames are excluded entirely, and a surname can appear in one Census release but disappear from a later one if it falls below the reporting threshold.
Why don't the ancestry percentages always add up to exactly 100%?
There are two main reasons: rounding and suppression. The Census Bureau rounds published values, and it may suppress very small cells to protect privacy. For 2020, the Bureau also published raw group counts rather than direct percentages, so Name Census converts those counts back into shares for comparability across census years.
What does Xayarath mean?
A surname possibly derived from the Thai language, potentially indicating geographical or ethnic origins. The fuller origin note on this page goes into more detail.
Where does the surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These files list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2020 Census, along with a count, a per-100,000 rate, and a self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.
How does Name Census estimate living bearers?
For surnames, Name Census does not age cohorts the way it does for first names. Instead, it takes the Census Bureau's published frequency for Xayarath (0.09 per 100,000) and applies that rate to the current U.S. resident population to estimate how many living Americans have the surname today.
How many people share the surname Xayarath?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.