NameCensus.

UK surname

Bali

An Indian surname originating in Tamil Nadu, possibly derived from a word meaning "sacrifice".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Bali surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 495, ranked #10,052, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Kirklees and Derby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bali is 498 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 49400.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

495

2016, ranked #10,052

Peak year

2014

498 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bali had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016, ranked #10,052.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Bali surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bali surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bali 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 261 #14,849
1998 modern 300 #13,877
1999 modern 308 #13,722
2000 modern 295 #14,070
2001 modern 297 #13,816
2002 modern 333 #13,062
2003 modern 333 #12,875
2004 modern 328 #13,058
2005 modern 339 #12,668
2006 modern 351 #12,420
2007 modern 377 #11,900
2008 modern 395 #11,598
2009 modern 416 #11,364
2010 modern 442 #11,066
2011 modern 435 #11,066
2012 modern 464 #10,439
2013 modern 476 #10,385
2014 modern 498 #10,102
2015 modern 492 #10,117
2016 modern 495 #10,052

Geography

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Where Balis 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 Birmingham, Kirklees, Derby and Bexley. 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 Birmingham 040 Birmingham
2 Kirklees 027 Kirklees
3 Birmingham 133 Birmingham
4 Derby 020 Derby
5 Bexley 009 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bali

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bali

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bali, 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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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, Bali 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

Bali 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

Bali falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bali 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 Bali, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bali

The surname Bali has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Rajasthan. It is believed to have originated from the ancient city of Bali, a prominent trading hub located in the Thar Desert region. The name Bali is derived from the Sanskrit word "Valinagara," which translates to "the city of sand dunes."

During the medieval period, the city of Bali was a significant center for trade and commerce, attracting merchants and traders from various parts of the world. The surname Bali gained prominence among the merchant class and was widely adopted by those associated with the city's prosperous trade activities.

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname Bali can be found in the chronicles of the Chauhan dynasty, which ruled over the region in the 12th and 13th centuries. These chronicles mention several prominent individuals bearing the surname Bali, who held influential positions within the administrative and mercantile sectors.

In the 14th century, the Bali surname is mentioned in the accounts of the famous Moroccan traveler, Ibn Battuta, who visited the region during his extensive travels. He documented the presence of wealthy Bali merchants and their involvement in the flourishing trade routes between India and the Middle East.

Over the centuries, the Bali surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure is Shantidas Bali, a renowned poet and writer from the 17th century, known for his contributions to the Brajbhasha literary tradition. Another notable bearer of the surname is Virendra Bali, a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Bali Group of Companies in the 20th century.

Other notable individuals with the Bali surname include Jal Bali, a celebrated Sufi poet from the 16th century, whose works influenced the spiritual and literary landscape of the region. Additionally, the name Bali has been associated with several accomplished musicians, artists, and scholars throughout history.

The surname Bali continues to hold significance in various parts of India, particularly in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, where it is closely tied to the region's rich cultural heritage and historical legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bali families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bali surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Devon leads with 1 Balis recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.75x.

County Total Index
Devon 1 49.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth Charles The in Devon leads with 1 Balis recorded in 1881 and an index of 1111.11x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth Charles The 1 1111.11x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bali surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Harriet 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Bali households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 1

FAQ

Bali surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bali surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Bali surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bali surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016. That gives Bali a modern rank of #10,052.

What does the Bali surname mean?

An Indian surname originating in Tamil Nadu, possibly derived from a word meaning "sacrifice".

What does the Bali map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bali 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.