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

Amani, 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 Amani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Amani in America

Amani is the 52970th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Amani surname appeared 391 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 Amani.

We can also compare 2010 data for Amani 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 Amani

The surname Amani has its origins in East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania, where it traces its roots back several centuries. It is derived from the Bantu word "amani," which means "peace" or "tranquility." The name was likely adopted as a surname by individuals or families who valued these qualities or lived in peaceful regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Amani can be found in historical documents from the Swahili Coast, where it was used to refer to individuals from the coastal regions of present-day Kenya and Tanzania. These records date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Swahili Coast was a thriving hub of trade and cultural exchange.

During the 19th century, the name Amani gained prominence in the region due to the efforts of a notable Kenyan leader and political activist named Mekatilili Amani (1856-1924). She played a significant role in the resistance against British colonial rule and is revered as a symbol of courage and defiance.

In Tanzania, the name Amani is closely associated with the town of Amani, located in the Tanga Region. This town was established in the late 19th century during the German colonial era and was known for its botanical gardens and research facilities. The name "Amani" was chosen to reflect the peaceful and serene environment of the area.

Another notable figure with the surname Amani is the Tanzanian politician and diplomat Salim Ahmed Salim (1942-), who served as the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) from 1989 to 2001. He played a crucial role in promoting peace, security, and development on the African continent.

In Kenya, the surname Amani is also associated with the Amani People's Theatre, a renowned cultural organization founded in the 1970s that promotes social and political awareness through theatrical performances.

While the name Amani has its roots in East Africa, it has spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its strongest historical connections remain in the coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania, where it has been a part of the cultural fabric for centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Amani

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

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

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

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