NameCensus.

UK surname

Chandra

A surname of Sanskrit origin meaning "moon," referring to the luminous celestial object visible in the night sky.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Chandra surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 413, ranked #11,609, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redbridge, Walsall and Rugby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chandra is 413 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 41200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

413

2016, ranked #11,609

Peak year

2016

413 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chandra had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 413 in 2016, ranked #11,609.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Chandra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chandra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chandra 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 202 #17,514
1998 modern 220 #17,074
1999 modern 230 #16,685
2000 modern 220 #17,138
2001 modern 224 #16,716
2002 modern 235 #16,495
2003 modern 243 #15,911
2004 modern 286 #14,312
2005 modern 301 #13,812
2006 modern 313 #13,517
2007 modern 330 #13,142
2008 modern 359 #12,459
2009 modern 384 #12,100
2010 modern 411 #11,723
2011 modern 399 #11,882
2012 modern 393 #11,874
2013 modern 398 #11,967
2014 modern 406 #11,865
2015 modern 411 #11,666
2016 modern 413 #11,609

Geography

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Where Chandras 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 Redbridge, Walsall, Rugby, Hillingdon 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 Redbridge 034 Redbridge
2 Walsall 035 Walsall
3 Rugby 005 Rugby
4 Hillingdon 033 Hillingdon
5 Barnet 014 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chandra

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Chandra

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Chandra, 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 Chandra surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Chandra 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, Chandra 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

Chandra 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

Chandra 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 Chandra 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 Chandra, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Chandra

The surname Chandra is believed to have originated in India, where it is a common name among the Hindu community. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Chandra," which means "moon" or "bright." This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals with a bright or radiant appearance, or perhaps to those born under a full moon.

Chandra is an ancient name that can be traced back to the Vedic period, around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. During this time, the name appeared in various Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Rigveda and the Mahabharata. It was also associated with the Hindu god of the moon, Chandra Deva, who was revered in ancient Indian mythology.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chandra can be found in the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, written around the 4th century BCE by Kautilya, also known as Chanakya. The text mentions several individuals with the name Chandra, suggesting that it was a common name during that period.

In the medieval era, the name Chandra gained prominence among the ruling dynasties of India. Notable figures bearing this surname include Chandragupta Maurya (340 BCE – 298 BCE), the founder of the Maurya Empire, and Chandra Gupta II (380 CE – 415 CE), an emperor of the Gupta Empire, considered one of the Golden Ages of India.

Another famous individual with the surname Chandra was Somanatha Chandra, a Bengali poet and philosopher who lived in the 16th century. His work, "Shri Krishna Vijaya," is considered a masterpiece of Bengali literature and a significant contribution to the Vaishnava tradition.

In more recent history, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910 – 1995), an Indian-American astrophysicist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983 for his groundbreaking work on the theoretical structure and evolution of stars. His contributions to the field of astrophysics are widely recognized and celebrated.

Chandra Shekhar Azad (1906 – 1931) was an Indian revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. He was a charismatic leader and a prominent figure in the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), known for his daring actions and unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom.

While the surname Chandra has its roots in India, it has also found its way into other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. The name has been adopted by individuals of various ethnicities and nationalities, reflecting the rich diversity and global reach of Indian culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Chandra surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chandra surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Chandra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 413 in 2016. That gives Chandra a modern rank of #11,609.

What does the Chandra surname mean?

A surname of Sanskrit origin meaning "moon," referring to the luminous celestial object visible in the night sky.

What does the Chandra map show?

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