Explore the Family Name Karthikeyan
The meaning of Karthikeyan
Indian (Tamil Nadu): from a personal name derived from Sanskrit kārtikeya (meaning ‘one who gives courage’) + the Tamil third-person masculine singular suffix -n. Kārtikeya is the name of the Tamil god of war. — Note: Since South Indians traditionally do not have hereditary surnames, this name was in most cases registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Karthikeyan in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Karthikeyan has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years. In 2000, it was ranked as the 144908th most common surname, with only about 105 people bearing it. However, by 2010, the name's rank had soared to 43969, marking an impressive growth of nearly 70%. The count of people named Karthikeyan also dramatically increased from 105 in 2000 to 490 in 2010, showing a rise of roughly 367%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #144,908 | #43,969 | 69.66% |
| Count | 105 | 490 | 366.67% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.04 | 0.17 | 325% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Karthikeyan
Regarding the ethnic identity associated with the surname Karthikeyan, based on the Decennial U.S. Census, it is predominantly linked to the Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity. In 2000, approximately 97.14% of individuals with this surname identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, and although there was a slight decrease to 96.53% in 2010, it remains the predominant ethnic identity. Interestingly, in 2010, the data shows that about 2.45% of those with the Karthikeyan surname identify as American Indian and Alaska Native, an ethnicity that didn't register for this surname in 2000. There were no recorded changes for individuals who identify as Two or more races, White, Hispanic, or Black between 2000 and 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 97.14% | 96.53% | -0.63% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 2.45% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| White | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |