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

Ellahi, 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 Ellahi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ellahi in America

Ellahi is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ellahi surname appeared 134 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 Ellahi.

The history of the last name Ellahi

The surname ELLAHI traces its origins to the Persian language, originating in regions of modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia during the medieval Islamic period, around the 10th to 13th centuries. It is derived from the Arabic word "Allah," meaning "God," and the Persian suffix "-i," denoting belonging or association. Therefore, ELLAHI likely referred to those closely associated with or devoted to God or the Islamic faith.

While the name itself does not appear in ancient manuscripts or records like the Domesday Book, as it originated in a different cultural and linguistic context, it is believed to have emerged during the spread of Islam in the Persian-speaking regions. The earliest known individuals bearing this surname can be traced back to the 13th century, such as Abu al-Fath Ellahi, a renowned Islamic scholar and poet from the city of Nishapur in modern-day Iran, who lived from 1190 to 1262.

Another notable figure was Mir Ellahi Bukhari, a Sufi mystic and spiritual leader from Bukhara (now in Uzbekistan), who lived in the 16th century and founded the Ellahi order of Sufism. His teachings and writings significantly influenced the spread of Sufism in Central Asia and beyond.

During the 17th century, the ELLAHI surname gained prominence in the region of Persia (modern-day Iran) under the Safavid dynasty, which patronized Islamic scholarship and culture. One such individual was Mohammad Baqir Ellahi, a prominent Islamic jurist and theologian who lived from 1639 to 1692.

In the 19th century, the ELLAHI surname was also found among influential figures in the Indian subcontinent, where Persian culture and language had a significant influence. One example is Syed Ahmed Khan Ellahi, a renowned scholar, jurist, and social reformer who lived from 1817 to 1898 and played a pivotal role in the promotion of modern education among Muslims in British India.

Another notable individual was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Ellahi, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who lived from 1835 to 1908 and claimed to be the promised Messiah and reformer of Islam. His teachings and the Ahmadiyya movement have had a lasting impact on Islamic thought and discourse.

While the ELLAHI surname is primarily found in Persian-speaking regions and among Muslim communities influenced by Persian culture, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply tied to the medieval Islamic world, particularly in the realms of religion, scholarship, and spirituality.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ellahi

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

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

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

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