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

Afifi, 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 Afifi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Afifi in America

Afifi is the 49824th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Afifi surname appeared 421 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 Afifi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Afifi to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Afifi

The surname AFIFI has its origins in the Arabic-speaking world, tracing back to the Middle East and North Africa regions. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 7th to 13th centuries.

The name AFIFI is derived from the Arabic word "afif," which translates to "chaste," "virtuous," or "modest." This suggests that the surname may have been initially bestowed upon individuals known for their moral integrity and upright character within their communities.

Historical records indicate that the name AFIFI appeared in various manuscripts and documents from the Islamic Golden Age, particularly in regions under the rule of the Abbasid and Fatimid caliphates. Some of the earliest mentions of individuals bearing this surname can be found in texts from the 10th and 11th centuries, such as the works of renowned scholars and poets.

One notable figure associated with the name AFIFI was Abu'l-Faraj al-Afifi, a renowned Arab poet who lived in the late 10th century. His poetic works have been preserved and studied by scholars over the centuries, providing insight into the cultural and literary traditions of the time.

Another historical figure carrying the surname AFIFI was Ibn al-Afifi, a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist who lived during the 12th century. He was renowned for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and his contributions to the development of legal theories and practices within the Islamic world.

In the 14th century, the name AFIFI appeared in the writings of the famous Arab traveler and explorer, Ibn Battuta. He mentioned encountering individuals with this surname during his extensive travels across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe.

During the Ottoman Empire's reign, the AFIFI surname was also present among prominent families and individuals, particularly in regions like Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. One notable figure from this time was Amin al-Afifi, a 19th-century Ottoman statesman and governor who held influential positions within the empire's administration.

The AFIFI surname has also been associated with various place names and locations throughout the Middle East and North Africa, where it was commonly found. Some examples include the village of Afifa in modern-day Israel, as well as towns and settlements in regions like Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

While the surname AFIFI has been predominantly concentrated in the Arab world, it has also spread to other regions due to migration and cultural exchange over the centuries. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in communities across the globe, carrying with them the rich historical and cultural legacy of their name's origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Afifi

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

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 Afifi 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Afifi has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Afifi was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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