Explore the Family Name Chhay

The meaning of Chhay

Cambodian: written ឆាយ, from a Khmer adjective meaning ‘beautiful’. Compare Chay 5. Some characteristic forenames: Cambodian Heng, Tong, Vuthy, Chhoeuth, Chhun, Choeun, Huon, Huot, Phoeun, Samoeun, Sophany, Voeun, Chan, Hieng, Him, Hin, Kheng, Khun, Meng, Sek, Seng, Siong, Leang, Mang, Nga, Nguon, Pha, Phon, Saroeun, Son, Tha, Than, Thong.

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

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

Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Chhay has seen an increase in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 28,700, but by 2010, it had climbed to rank 22,113, reflecting a 22.95% increase. The count of people with this surname also rose from 781 to 1,170 during this period, marking a substantial jump of nearly 50%. Similarly, the proportion of people with the Chhay surname per 100,000 people also increased by approximately 38%.

	2000	2010	Change
Rank	#28,700	#22,113	22.95%
Count	781	1,170	49.81%
Proportion per 100k	0.29	0.4	37.93%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Chhay

In terms of ethnicity, the majority of people with the surname Chhay identify as Asian/Pacific Islander, as shown by the Decennial U.S. Census data. This ethnic group's representation increased slightly from 92.06% in 2000 to 94.87% in 2010. During the same period, there was a significant decrease of nearly 64% in individuals who identified as belonging to two or more races. Meanwhile, the proportions of individuals identifying as White and Hispanic saw increases of 23.33% and 80% respectively. However, the data showed no one with the Chhay surname identifying as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either 2000 or 2010.

	2000	2010	Change
Asian/Pacific Islander	92.06%	94.87%	3.05%
Two or More Races	6.15%	2.22%	-63.9%
Hispanic	0.9%	1.62%	80%
White	0.9%	1.11%	23.33%
Black	0%	0%	0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0%	0%	0%