Find out how popular the last name Abai is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Abai.

Abai, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Abai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Abai in America

Abai is the 156044th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Abai surname appeared 104 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Abai.

The history of the last name Abai

The surname ABAI is of Georgian origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Georgian word "abai," which means "father" or "ancestor." It is believed to have initially served as a patronymic, indicating the lineage or family line of the bearer.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname ABAI can be found in historical documents and manuscripts from the 14th and 15th centuries, during the reign of the Kingdom of Georgia. These records often referred to individuals from prominent noble families or members of the clergy.

One notable historical figure bearing this surname was Shota Rustaveli (c. 1172 - c. 1216), a celebrated Georgian poet and author of the epic poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin." His work is considered a masterpiece of medieval Georgian literature and has had a profound influence on the country's cultural heritage.

In the 16th century, the ABAI surname gained prominence among the noble families of the Principality of Samachablo, a region located in present-day eastern Georgia. During this period, several individuals with the surname ABAI held influential positions within the local administration and played significant roles in the political and cultural life of the region.

Another notable figure was David ABAI (1673 - 1729), a prominent Georgian calligrapher and manuscript illuminator. His exquisite calligraphic works and miniature illustrations adorned numerous religious texts and manuscripts, showcasing the skillful artistry of Georgian scribes during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

In the 19th century, the ABAI surname gained further recognition with the birth of Ilia Abai (1838 - 1898), a renowned Georgian writer, philosopher, and influential public figure. Ilia Abai played a pivotal role in the revival of Georgian national consciousness and the promotion of Georgian language and culture during the period of Russian imperial rule.

Throughout its history, the ABAI surname has been closely associated with the Georgian cultural and intellectual elite, with many bearers of the name making significant contributions to literature, art, and scholarship. While the surname may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its Georgian roots and connection to the concept of ancestry and lineage have remained intact.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Abai

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Abai.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Abai was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Abai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Abai, please contact us.

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