Explore the Family Name Bakhshi

The meaning of Bakhshi

1. Iranian and Jewish (from Iran): from bakhshī, a Persian word meaning literally ‘giver, donor’, also ‘fortune’, but usually (in Khorasan) denoting a ‘storyteller’ or ‘singer, musician’, historically (in the Indian subcontinent and/or in parts of Central Asia) also a ‘paymaster’ (see Bakshi) or a ‘scribe’. Alternatively, a surname denoting descent from or association with someone called Bakhsh. 2. Indian (Punjab): variant of Bakshi 1.

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

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

Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Bakhshi has been rising in popularity in the United States. In 2000, it was ranked as the 86,657th most popular surname, and by 2010, it had climbed significantly to the 61,123rd spot. This represents a notable change of around 29.47%. The number of individuals bearing this surname also increased from 200 in 2000 to 329 in 2010, a substantial increase of 64.5%. Consequently, the proportion of this surname per 100,000 people rose from 0.07 in 2000 to 0.11 in 2010, marking a rate increase of 57.14%.

20002010Change
Rank#86,657#61,12329.47%
Count20032964.5%
Proportion per 100k0.070.1157.14%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Bakhshi

Turning to the ethnic identity associated with the surname Bakhshi, the Decennial U.S. Census indicates a shift over the decade from 2000 to 2010. The proportion identifying as White increased from 49% to 57.75%, while those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander decreased from 32.50% to 26.44%. The percentage of individuals reporting two or more races also dropped, from 16% in 2000 to 11.55% in 2010. While there were no recorded instances of those identifying as Hispanic, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in 2000, by 2010, there was a small increase in the Hispanic category, accounting for 3.65% of individuals with this surname.

20002010Change
White49%57.75%17.86%
Asian/Pacific Islander32.5%26.44%-18.65%
Two or More Races16%11.55%-27.81%
Hispanic0%3.65%0%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%