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

Govani, 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 Govani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Govani in America

Govani is the 90853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Govani surname appeared 203 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 Govani.

We can also compare 2010 data for Govani 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 Govani

The surname Govani is believed to have originated in India, with its earliest known roots traced back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Govinda," which means "cowherd" or "one who finds joy in cows." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals involved in the cattle industry or those who lived in rural areas where cattle farming was a significant part of their livelihood.

Historically, the Govani surname was predominantly found in the western and central regions of India, particularly in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient manuscripts and local records from these regions, although specific details are scarce due to the limited availability of comprehensive historical documentation from that period.

One notable historical figure bearing the Govani surname was Shantidas Govani, a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist who lived in the 19th century. He was a successful trader and a key figure in the establishment of the Bhatia community's educational institutions in Bombay (now Mumbai).

Another individual of note was Govindram Govani, a renowned Indian freedom fighter who actively participated in the struggle for India's independence from British rule in the early 20th century. He was a member of the Indian National Congress and played a significant role in mobilizing support for the independence movement in the state of Gujarat.

In the realm of literature, Ranjit Govani was a respected Indian author and journalist of the 20th century. Born in 1919, he authored several novels and non-fiction works that explored themes of social justice, cultural identity, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities in India.

Govani was also the surname of Brijlal Govani, a prominent Indian industrialist and philanthropist who lived from 1888 to 1967. He founded the Govani Group of Companies, which became a major business conglomerate in India, and was actively involved in various charitable initiatives, particularly in the field of education and healthcare.

Another notable figure was Manohar Govani, an Indian-born British businessman and philanthropist who lived from 1932 to 2018. He made significant contributions to the development of the Indian community in the United Kingdom and was recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting educational causes.

While the Govani surname has its roots in India, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical origins and cultural associations remain deeply rooted in the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Govani

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

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

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

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