Desai — Last Name Origin & Meaning

French/Spanish origin Rank #1,938 in the US 18,638 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#1,938
▲ Up 602 since 2000
People in the US
18,638
6.32 per 100K people
Origin
French/Spanish
French

Origin & Meaning of the Desai Surname

What does the last name Desai mean?

The surname Desai carries the meaning "Of or from." It is derived from the French language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 18,638 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Desai ranks as the #1,938 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Desai come from?

The Desai surname has its roots in French/Spanish heritage. Names of French/Spanish origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Desai name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Desai trace back to French. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

French/Spanish French

Quick Facts

Surname Desai
Meaning Of or from
Origin French/Spanish
Language French
US Rank (2010) #1,938
US Count (2010) 18,638
Per 100K People 6.32
First Letter D

Ethnic Distribution of Desai

According to the US Census, the Desai surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 18,638 Americans with the Desai last name.

White 2.95%
Black 0.32%
Hispanic 0.62%
Asian/PI 93.75%
Native American 0.33%
Two+ Races 2.04%
Ethnic distribution of the Desai surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White2.95%
Black0.32%
Hispanic0.62%
Asian/Pacific Islander93.75%
Native American0.33%
Two or More Races2.04%

Popularity of Desai Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Desai surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#2,540
13,057 people
Up 602
Census 2010
#1,938
18,638 people

The number of Americans with the Desai surname increased by 5,581 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Desai Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Desai ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Desai

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Desai.

Other French/Spanish Surnames

Explore more surnames with French/Spanish roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same French/Spanish origin as Desai.

Frequently Asked Questions About Desai

The surname Desai is of French/Spanish origin. Of or from
The surname Desai is ranked #1,938 in the United States with approximately 18,638 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Of or from. The name has French/Spanish roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Desai surname is distributed as: 93.8% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Desai ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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