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

Dhanani, 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 Dhanani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dhanani in America

Dhanani is the 31689th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dhanani surname appeared 729 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 Dhanani.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dhanani 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 Dhanani

The surname "DHANANI" is of Indian origin, specifically hailing from the western state of Gujarat. It is believed to have originated during the medieval period, around the 10th to 12th centuries CE. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "dhana," meaning wealth or prosperity, and is thought to have been initially used as a title or honorific for wealthy or prosperous individuals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "DHANANI" can be found in the Navagraha Katha, an ancient Gujarati manuscript dating back to the 12th century. This text contains references to a prominent merchant family bearing the surname "DHANANI," suggesting that the name was already well-established in the region by that time.

Over the centuries, the "DHANANI" surname has been associated with various occupations, particularly those related to trade, commerce, and finance. Many individuals with this surname were involved in the flourishing textile and spice trade that characterized Gujarat's economic landscape during the medieval and early modern periods.

One notable figure in history bearing the "DHANANI" surname was Shantidas Dhanani, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who lived in the 16th century. He was renowned for his charitable works, including the construction of several temples, wells, and rest houses for travelers.

Another prominent individual was Harjivan Dhanani, a successful trader and businessman who lived in the 17th century. He is credited with establishing several trading outposts across the Indian subcontinent and fostering economic ties with other regions.

In the 19th century, Jamnadas Dhanani made a significant impact as a pioneering industrialist. He established one of the first textile mills in Gujarat, contributing to the region's industrial development.

Muljibhai Dhanani, born in 1856, was a prominent figure in the fight for Indian independence. He participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and was actively involved in the struggle against British colonial rule.

More recently, Vinod Dhanani, born in 1942, gained recognition as a renowned architect and urban planner. He was instrumental in the design and development of several iconic buildings and urban spaces in Gujarat.

While the "DHANANI" surname has its roots in Gujarat, over time, individuals bearing this name have migrated to various parts of India and even abroad, contributing to the cultural and economic fabric of their respective communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dhanani

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

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

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

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