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

Benally, 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 Benally surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Benally in America

Benally is the 6155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Benally surname appeared 5,562 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Benally.

We can also compare 2010 data for Benally 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 Benally

The surname Benally has its origins in the Navajo Nation, a Native American territory spanning parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico in the southwestern United States. This name is rooted in the Navajo language and can be traced back to the 18th century.

It is believed that the name Benally is derived from the Navajo phrase "Bináá Náhiilnah," which translates to "Where the Earth Meets the Water." This phrase likely refers to a specific geographic location or landmark within the traditional Navajo homeland.

In the early 19th century, the Navajo people were forcibly relocated by the United States government during the infamous "Long Walk" of 1864. Many Navajo families, including those bearing the Benally name, were interned at the Bosque Redondo reservation in New Mexico. Records from this period provide some of the earliest written accounts of the Benally surname.

One notable individual with the Benally name was John Benally, a prominent Navajo leader and activist born in 1898. He played a crucial role in advocating for Navajo rights and preserving Navajo culture and traditions in the face of government assimilation policies.

Another significant figure was Emerson Benally, a Navajo Code Talker during World War II. Born in 1923, he utilized the complex Navajo language to transmit coded messages that helped Allied forces in the Pacific theater. Benally's service contributed to the eventual victory over the Axis powers.

In more recent history, Peterson Benally, born in 1948, was a renowned Navajo artist and silversmith. His intricate jewelry and metalwork pieces were celebrated for their embodiment of Navajo artistic traditions and cultural symbolism.

Annie Dodge Wauneka, born in 1910, was a distinguished Navajo leader and activist who bore the Benally name through marriage. She played a pivotal role in promoting public health initiatives and advocating for the rights and well-being of the Navajo people.

Lastly, Eric Benally, born in 1975, is a contemporary Navajo artist and filmmaker known for his works that explore themes of identity, tradition, and the modern Native American experience.

While the Benally surname may not be as widely recognized as some other surnames, it carries a rich cultural heritage and historical significance within the Navajo Nation and the broader Native American community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Benally

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

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

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

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