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

Gyi, 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 Gyi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gyi in America

Gyi is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gyi surname appeared 131 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 Gyi.

The history of the last name Gyi

The surname GYI has its origins in Burma (now Myanmar), dating back to the 12th century AD. It is believed to be derived from the Burmese word "gyi," which means "big" or "great." The name was likely given to individuals who possessed qualities of greatness or were physically large in stature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname GYI can be found in the Bagan Inscriptions, a collection of stone inscriptions from the Bagan period (11th to 13th centuries). These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the history, culture, and language of ancient Burma.

During the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), the name GYI gained prominence. Several notable figures from this era bore the surname, including U GYI, a prominent scholar and poet who lived in the 18th century. His works contributed significantly to the development of Burmese literature and language.

In the 19th century, the name GYI appeared in British colonial records, such as the Burma Gazetteer, which documented the names and locations of villages and towns throughout Burma. Some of these records mention place names like Gyi-bin and Gyi-daung, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname GYI was U Thant (1909-1974), a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations. He played a crucial role in mediating international conflicts and promoting world peace during his tenure from 1961 to 1971.

Another notable figure was Daw Mya GYI (1904-1988), a prominent Burmese educator and women's rights activist. She founded several schools and organizations dedicated to improving the education and empowerment of women in Burma.

In the field of literature, Mya Than Tint GYI (1929-2018) was a renowned Burmese writer and poet. His works, spanning over six decades, explored themes of love, nationalism, and social issues, and he received numerous literary awards and honors.

Kyaw GYI (1919-2005) was a celebrated Burmese artist known for his vibrant and expressive paintings depicting Burmese culture and daily life. His works are exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and he is regarded as one of the most influential artists in modern Burmese art.

Lastly, Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945), the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former State Counsellor of Myanmar, has ancestral roots that can be traced back to the GYI surname. Her father, Aung San, was a prominent Burmese independence leader and is revered as the Father of the Nation.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gyi

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

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

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

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