NameCensus.

UK surname

Jana

A surname of Indian origin meaning "people" or "tribe".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Portobello and South Tyneside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jana is 130 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

130

2016, ranked #26,152

Peak year

2016

130 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016, ranked #26,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Jana surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jana surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jana 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
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 27 #35,016
1998 modern 31 #34,740
1999 modern 31 #34,821
2000 modern 33 #34,607
2001 modern 33 #34,436
2002 modern 40 #34,133
2003 modern 35 #34,609
2004 modern 51 #33,478
2005 modern 64 #32,482
2006 modern 67 #32,532
2007 modern 79 #31,628
2008 modern 83 #31,483
2009 modern 78 #32,471
2010 modern 90 #31,621
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 125 #26,695
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 124 #26,944
2016 modern 130 #26,152

Geography

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Where Janas 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 Brent, Portobello, South Tyneside, Middlesbrough and Derby. 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 Brent 022 Brent
2 Portobello City of Edinburgh
3 South Tyneside 006 South Tyneside
4 Middlesbrough 003 Middlesbrough
5 Derby 020 Derby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jana

These lists show first names that appear often with the Jana 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 Jana

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

Jana 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

Jana falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jana 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Jana

The surname JANA has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, tracing back to the Sanskrit language. It is believed to have derived from the word "jana," which means "person," "man," or "people." The name has been particularly prevalent among Hindu communities in India and neighboring regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the JANA surname can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, where it was often used to refer to individuals or groups. The surname has also been mentioned in various historical records and manuscripts from the Indian subcontinent, dating back several centuries.

In the medieval period, the JANA surname was associated with several notable figures, including the 12th-century Hindu philosopher and poet, Jayadeva JANA, renowned for his literary work "Gita Govinda." Another prominent individual was Vidyapati JANA, a 15th-century Sanskrit poet and writer from the Mithila region of Bihar, India.

The JANA surname has also been linked to several place names in India, such as the town of Janakpur, located in the present-day state of Bihar. This town was named after King Janak, who was believed to have ruled the region during ancient times.

In more recent history, the JANA surname has been borne by several influential individuals, including Pratap Chandra JANA (1866-1935), a prominent Indian lawyer and politician who served as the president of the Indian National Congress in 1920. Another notable figure was Kali Prasad JANA (1891-1983), an eminent Indian botanist and plant taxonomist.

Other notable individuals with the JANA surname include Rameshwar Nath JANA (1882-1936), a pioneering Indian mathematician and educationist, and Bireswar JANA (1904-1975), a renowned Indian novelist and short story writer who made significant contributions to Bengali literature.

While the JANA surname has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical origins and significance remain deeply rooted in the cultural and linguistic heritage of the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Jana surname: questions and answers

How common is the Jana surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016. That gives Jana a modern rank of #26,152.

What does the Jana surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin meaning "people" or "tribe".

What does the Jana map show?

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