NameCensus.

UK surname

Panda

A surname with uncertain origins, possibly derived from the Italian word for "panda."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Panda is 191 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

191

2016, ranked #20,194

Peak year

2016

191 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016, ranked #20,194.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Panda surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Panda surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Panda 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 23 #35,484
1998 modern 34 #34,433
1999 modern 36 #34,323
2000 modern 36 #34,317
2001 modern 32 #34,537
2002 modern 41 #34,032
2003 modern 43 #33,951
2004 modern 54 #33,248
2005 modern 64 #32,482
2006 modern 70 #32,240
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 103 #29,127
2010 modern 110 #28,666
2011 modern 119 #27,063
2012 modern 141 #24,258
2013 modern 145 #24,207
2014 modern 164 #22,445
2015 modern 173 #21,542
2016 modern 191 #20,194

Geography

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Where Pandas 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 Islington, Newham, Woking, Barnet and Bromley. 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 Islington 017 Islington
2 Newham 020 Newham
3 Woking 002 Woking
4 Barnet 032 Barnet
5 Bromley 008 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Panda

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Panda surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Panda household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Panda is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Panda 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

Panda falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Panda

The surname Panda has its origins in India, where it is believed to have first emerged in the 16th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "pandu," which means "pale" or "white." This name was likely given to individuals with a light complexion or those who had a pale appearance.

In the early days, the name was primarily found in the northern regions of India, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It was often associated with the Brahmin caste, which was considered the highest caste in the Hindu social hierarchy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Panda can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century document compiled during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar. This document served as an administrative manual and provided detailed information about the empire, including lists of officials and their respective roles.

Over time, the name spread to other parts of India as people migrated and settled in different regions. In the 17th century, there are records of individuals with the surname Panda residing in the city of Varanasi, a major religious and cultural center in northern India.

One notable individual with the surname Panda was Pandit Vishnu Panda, a renowned scholar and astrologer who lived in the 18th century. He was known for his extensive knowledge of Hindu scriptures and his contributions to the field of astrology.

Another significant figure was Raja Rajendra Panda, a ruler of the princely state of Talcher in present-day Odisha. He ruled from 1786 to 1812 and was known for his efforts in promoting education and cultural activities within his kingdom.

In the 19th century, the name Panda gained prominence with the birth of Govind Ballabh Pant Panda, a prominent Indian freedom fighter and politician. He was born in 1887 and played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence from British rule.

Towards the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, the surname Panda became more widespread across India. Individuals with this name could be found in various professions, including academia, politics, and the arts.

One notable example is Rajkumar Panda, a celebrated artist and sculptor from Odisha, known for his contributions to the field of modern Indian art. He was born in 1923 and his works have been exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Panda surname: questions and answers

How common is the Panda surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016. That gives Panda a modern rank of #20,194.

What does the Panda surname mean?

A surname with uncertain origins, possibly derived from the Italian word for "panda."

What does the Panda map show?

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