NameCensus.

UK surname

Narayanan

A surname of Sanskrit origin referring to followers or descendants of the Hindu deity Narayana (Vishnu).

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Narayanan is 376 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

374

2016, ranked #12,490

Peak year

2014

376 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016, ranked #12,490.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Narayanan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Narayanan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Narayanan 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 93 #27,932
1998 modern 108 #26,417
1999 modern 122 #24,745
2000 modern 138 #22,960
2001 modern 136 #22,855
2002 modern 144 #22,501
2003 modern 150 #21,669
2004 modern 185 #19,114
2005 modern 203 #17,961
2006 modern 234 #16,493
2007 modern 248 #15,994
2008 modern 258 #15,732
2009 modern 301 #14,386
2010 modern 324 #13,979
2011 modern 318 #14,023
2012 modern 336 #13,376
2013 modern 358 #12,952
2014 modern 376 #12,553
2015 modern 368 #12,661
2016 modern 374 #12,490

Geography

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Where Narayanans 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 Newham, Redbridge and Westminster. 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 Newham 010 Newham
2 Newham 018 Newham
3 Redbridge 029 Redbridge
4 Westminster 021 Westminster
5 Newham 015 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Narayanan

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

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Narayanan is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Narayanan 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

Narayanan falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Narayanan

The surname Narayanan originates from India and can be traced back to the Sanskrit language, which was widely used in ancient Indian texts and scriptures. The name is derived from the combination of two Sanskrit words, "Nara" meaning human or man, and "Ayana" meaning abode or dwelling place. Together, Narayanan can be translated to mean "the abode of man" or "the dwelling place of humanity."

This surname has its roots in the Hindu religious traditions, where it is believed to be closely associated with Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Lord Vishnu is often referred to as Narayana, which is another variation of the name Narayanan. In Hindu mythology, Narayana is considered the Supreme Being and the preserver of the universe.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Narayanan can be found in ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Puranas, dating back to the first millennium BCE. One notable example is the Narayana Upanishad, a sacred text that discusses the concept of Narayana as the ultimate reality.

Throughout history, several individuals bearing the surname Narayanan have made significant contributions in various fields. One prominent figure was Sir C.V. Narayanan Nair (1865-1931), an Indian lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. Another notable individual was K.R. Narayanan (1920-2005), who served as the 10th President of India from 1997 to 2002.

The name Narayanan has also been associated with several prominent authors and scholars. For instance, M.K. Narayanan (1905-1982) was a renowned Malayalam writer and literary critic, while R. Narayanan (1920-2001) was an acclaimed Tamil writer and journalist.

In the field of art and culture, the name Narayanan has left its mark as well. Govindappa Venkataswamy Narayanan (1896-1981), better known as G.V. Narayanan, was a prominent Indian painter and art educator who played a significant role in the development of the Madras Art Movement.

While the surname Narayanan has its origins in India, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, its roots remain firmly grounded in the rich cultural and religious traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Narayanan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Narayanan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016. That gives Narayanan a modern rank of #12,490.

What does the Narayanan surname mean?

A surname of Sanskrit origin referring to followers or descendants of the Hindu deity Narayana (Vishnu).

What does the Narayanan map show?

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