Explore the Family Name Bakhsh

The meaning of Bakhsh

Muslim (Iran, Pakistan, and India): from Persian bakhsh, meaning literally ‘fortune’ and, in compounds, ‘giver, donor’. It is forming the second part (or a suffix) of compound names such as Reza Bakhsh or Rezabakhsh (see Reza), generally interpreted as ‘granted by’. In some cases perhaps, also from the personal name Bakhsh, based on the same word. Compare Baksh.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Bakhsh in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Bakhsh has seen a significant increase from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 107,565 in terms of popularity and had approximately 153 bearers. However, by 2010, its rank improved to 93,125 with an increased count of 197 bearers, which signifies a growth rate of approximately 28.76%. This shows that for every 100,000 people, the proportion bearing the surname Bakhsh rose from 0.06 to 0.07, marking a change of 16.67%.

20002010Change
Rank#107,565#93,12513.42%
Count15319728.76%
Proportion per 100k0.060.0716.67%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Bakhsh

Regarding the ethnic identity associated with the surname Bakhsh, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some interesting shifts between 2000 and 2010. There was a noticeable increase in the percentage of Asian/Pacific Islanders bearing the surname, from 35.95% in 2000 to 56.85% in 2010 - a rise of 58.14%. On the other hand, those identifying as having two or more races decreased significantly from 30.07% to 10.66%. The percentage of White individuals with the surname Bakhsh also increased slightly from 22.88% to 27.92%. The proportion of Black Bakhsh bearers decreased marginally over the decade while there were no recorded Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native bearers of the surname in either census year.

20002010Change
Asian/Pacific Islander35.95%56.85%58.14%
White22.88%27.92%22.03%
Two or More Races30.07%10.66%-64.55%
Black4.58%3.55%-22.49%
Hispanic0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%