Explore the Family Name Babu
The meaning of Babu
1. Indian (Gujarat, Maharashtra, and southern states): from Hindi bābū ‘father’, a derivative of Prakrit bappā, used as a respectful term of address for a man, also as a term of endearment for a male child. In Gujarat and Maharashtra the surname comes from the respectful term of address, while among South Indians the term of endearment evolved into a male personal name. — Note: Since South Indians traditionally do not have hereditary surnames, the southern Indian name was in most cases registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US. 2. Assyrian/Chaldean: from the personal name or nickname Bābū (compare 1 above), given to one who bears the same personal name as his grandfather. Some characteristic forenames: Indian Suresh, Ramesh, Nikhil, Arun, Arunachalam, Bhupesh, Geetha, Mohan, Ratna, Ravi, Satesh, Sharath.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Babu in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname 'Babu' has seen a significant increase between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Babu was ranked 26,614th in terms of frequency, but by 2010 it had risen to 18,478th, marking a change of approximately 30.57%. The count of individuals with this surname also surged from 861 in 2000 to 1,496 in 2010, suggesting a dramatic growth rate of 73.75%. Consequently, the proportion of the surname per 100,000 people increased from 0.32 in 2000 to 0.51 in 2010, indicating a rise of 59.38%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26,614 | #18,478 | 30.57% |
| Count | 861 | 1,496 | 73.75% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.32 | 0.51 | 59.38% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Babu
In terms of ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that most individuals with the surname 'Babu' identified as Asian/Pacific Islander in both 2000 and 2010. There was a slight increase from 86.88% in 2000 to 88.84% in 2010. The percentage of those who identified themselves as belonging to two or more races decreased by 40.73%, from 3.83% in 2000 to 2.27% in 2010. The proportion identifying as White also witnessed a drop of 24.73%, from 6.39% in 2000 to 4.81% in 2010. While there were no individuals who identified as Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native in 2000, these categories saw slight increases in 2010 to 0.74% and 0.87% respectively. Lastly, the proportion of individuals identifying as Black rose from 1.51% in 2000 to 2.47% in 2010, marking a change of 63.58%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 86.88% | 88.84% | 2.26% |
| White | 6.39% | 4.81% | -24.73% |
| Black | 1.51% | 2.47% | 63.58% |
| Two or More Races | 3.83% | 2.27% | -40.73% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0.87% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0.74% | 0% |