Rao (surname)
Rao is a surname used across India predominantly in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Telangana. It is also used in few parts of Pakistan, Italy and China
India
It is an Indian princely title cognate with Raja ("King"). Rao is commonly added as a suffix to a person's name in southern and western parts of India. Rao is the caste name of Velamas synonymously known as Velama Rao in States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana States and Rao is surname of Kammas in parts of coastal andhra and Telangana, Ahirs in Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh and Delhi. In all, Rao's in India essentially refers to or majority are from Ahir, Kamma and Velama castes.
Others
Italy
The Sicilian-Calabrian Italian surname Rao is pronounced in the Italian language similarly to the Indian pronunciation ([ˈra.o], although in the United States many Raos of Italian descent pronounce the name /ˈreɪ.oʊ/). Examples are Raos in Chicago, New York City, Boston and Rao families in Rhode Island and North Carolina. It is also common among the descendants of Italian settlers in Brazil.
China
Rao (simplified Chinese: 饶; traditional Chinese: 饒; pinyin: Ráo) is a Chinese family name. It can also be spelled as "Jao", "Yow" or "Yaw". It is approximately 2200 years old, and originated in the area near present-day Linfen, Shanxi province.
Pakistan
The majority of Rao in Pakistan are Muslim Panwar (Pawar) Rajputs and Chauhan Rajputs. Rao can be found all across Pakistan and are found in large numbers in the Punjab province as well as in Sindh. Many Rao traditionally serve in the Pakistani Armed Forces, Police and Civil Services. After the independence of India and Pakistan, the majority of Rao settled in the cities of Punjab province: Sialkot Pakpattan District, Okara District, Phullarwan of Sargodha District, Shujabad, Bahawalnagar, Maharwali, Khanewal, Lahore, Mandi Bahauddin, Kot Radha Kishan Tehsil, Burewala, Vehari, Mailsi, Kehror Pakka and Bahawalpur. In Sindh, they settled in Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Mirpurkhas Sanghar and Mehrabpur. As a group, the Rao maintain a distinct identity in Pakistan. In 2002 elections of Pakistan, Rajputs were in the largest number in assemblies.
Notable people
Telugu Rao
- Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Legendary Telugu film actor and founder of Annapurna studios. He received Padma Bhushan for his contribution to film industry.
- Ramoji Rao, Prominent Telugu businessman. He owns Ramoji group which covers priya pickles, eenadu newspaper, etv channels. Ramoji film city is the worlds largest film studio.
- Narla Tata Rao, Prominent engineer and recipient of padma shri award
- Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974). Rao was popularly known as "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi. Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Keechaka in Nartanasala at the Indonesian Film Festival at Jakarta in 1963
- Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996)Former chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh and was an Indian film actor, writer, director, producer, and politician who also served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for three terms.
- Ayyagari Sambasiva Rao (1914–2003) an eminent Indian scientist, founder of the Electronics Corporation of India Limited
- Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao (1924–) an Indian film actor, writer and director
- Chintapenta Satyanarayana Rao Indian writer, actor, director and producer
- K. S. Rama Rao Telugu cinema producer
- Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao (known as Ranga; July 4, 1947 – December 26, 1988) was an Indian National Congress politician
Others
- Dileep Rao (1973–) American actor
- Michael Rao (1967–) president of Virginia Commonwealth University since 2009
Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh Rao
- Rao Birender Singh(1967) 2nd Chief Minister of Haryana.
- Rao Inderjit Singh (1998–present)Member of Parliament 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th Lok Sabha. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Statistics and Programme Implementation, Planning and Defence.
- Rajkummar Rao (2010–present) Indian film actor.
- Rao tula ram (1825–1863) was one of the key leaders of the Indian rebellion of 1857, in Haryana, where he is considered a state hero.
- Rao Narbir Singh (1961-Present) Cabinet Minister, Government of Haryana for Department of Public Works (B&R), Haryana and Department of Public Health Engineering (Water Supply and Sanitation), Haryana(2014).
- Rao Gopal Dev (Deid 1862) leaders of the Indian rebellion of 1857, in Haryana, where he is considered a state hero.
- Rao Deshraj Singh Yadav (Deid 2016) MLA 9th,11th and 13th Vidhan Sabha Madhya Pradesh and President of District Panchyat of Madhya Pradesh.
- Vandana Rao Arjuna Awardee who represented India in 1984 and 1988 Olympics in 4 × 400 m women relay race