NameCensus.

UK surname

Bajaj

An Indian surname derived from the word for a trader or grocer.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Coventry and Richmond upon Thames.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bajaj is 532 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

527

2016, ranked #9,622

Peak year

2014

532 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 527 in 2016, ranked #9,622.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Bajaj surname distribution map

The map shows where the Bajaj surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Bajaj surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bajaj over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1997 modern 195 #17,912
1998 modern 209 #17,650
1999 modern 226 #16,884
2000 modern 232 #16,562
2001 modern 230 #16,415
2002 modern 256 #15,565
2003 modern 263 #15,109
2004 modern 284 #14,377
2005 modern 311 #13,490
2006 modern 328 #13,073
2007 modern 357 #12,413
2008 modern 394 #11,622
2009 modern 424 #11,179
2010 modern 478 #10,392
2011 modern 470 #10,432
2012 modern 508 #9,748
2013 modern 527 #9,652
2014 modern 532 #9,648
2015 modern 526 #9,654
2016 modern 527 #9,622

Geography

Back to top

Where Bajajs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ealing, Coventry, Richmond upon Thames and Barnet. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ealing 023 Ealing
2 Coventry 042 Coventry
3 Richmond upon Thames 013 Richmond upon Thames
4 Ealing 017 Ealing
5 Barnet 028 Barnet

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bajaj

These lists show first names that appear often with the Bajaj surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bajaj

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bajaj, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Bajaj surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Bajaj household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bajaj is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bajaj is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bajaj falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bajaj is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bajaj, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bajaj

The surname BAJAJ originated in India, with records of the name dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "vanij," meaning "merchant" or "trader." The name was initially associated with the Vaishya community, one of the four traditional social classes in Hinduism, known for their involvement in trade and business activities.

The BAJAJ surname was particularly prevalent in the northern and western regions of India, including the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. In some historical documents, the name was also spelled as "Bajaj," "Bajaaj," or "Bajaji," reflecting local variations in pronunciation and scribal practices.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the BAJAJ name can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text lists several individuals with the surname BAJAJ as serving in various administrative and financial roles within the Mughal Empire.

In the 18th century, the BAJAJ family gained prominence in the city of Marwar (present-day Jodhpur, Rajasthan), where they established themselves as successful merchants and businessmen. Notably, Shri Shiv Narayan Bajaj (1730-1795) was a prominent figure in the region, known for his entrepreneurial acumen and philanthropic endeavors.

Another notable individual with the BAJAJ surname was Jamnalal Bajaj (1884-1942), a prominent industrialist and freedom fighter from Maharashtra. He played a significant role in India's independence movement and was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Jamnalal Bajaj's grandson, Rahul Bajaj (1938-2022), carried forward the family's industrial legacy and was the former chairman of the Bajaj Group, a leading Indian conglomerate.

In the literary realm, Naina Devi Bajaj (1936-2022) was a renowned Hindi poet and writer, recognized for her contributions to modern Hindi literature. She received numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.

The BAJAJ surname has also been associated with academic and scientific achievements. Vishnu Hari Bajaj (1936-2022) was a prominent Indian physicist and educator, known for his contributions to the field of semiconductor physics and his role in establishing several scientific institutions in India.

While the BAJAJ surname has its roots in India's mercantile and business communities, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions across various fields, leaving an indelible mark on the country's history and cultural landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Bajaj surname: questions and answers

How common is the Bajaj surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 527 in 2016. That gives Bajaj a modern rank of #9,622.

What does the Bajaj surname mean?

An Indian surname derived from the word for a trader or grocer.

What does the Bajaj map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bajaj bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.