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

Hai, 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 Hai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hai in America

Hai is the 29093rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hai surname appeared 815 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 Hai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hai 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 Hai

The surname "HAI" is believed to have originated in China, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). It is derived from the Chinese character "海" (hǎi), which means "ocean" or "sea." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near the coast or had occupations related to maritime activities.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "HAI" can be found in the "Treatise on Food and Money" (Shihuo Zhi), a historical text written during the Song Dynasty. This work mentions a person named Hai Zhuochen, who served as an official in the imperial court. However, there is limited information available about his specific dates or life details.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the surname "HAI" gained prominence in the coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian. Historical records indicate that several individuals with this surname held notable positions within the imperial bureaucracy and made significant contributions to various fields.

One notable individual was Hai Rui (1514-1587), a renowned statesman and scholar-official who served during the Ming Dynasty. He is remembered for his unwavering integrity and commitment to justice, often criticizing corruption and advocating for the well-being of the common people. Hai Rui's writings and actions have left a lasting impact on Chinese political thought and ethics.

In the realm of literature, the surname "HAI" is associated with Hai Zhi (1736-1788), a prominent poet and essayist of the Qing Dynasty. His works, which explored themes of nature, philosophy, and the human condition, are considered masterpieces of classical Chinese literature.

Another influential figure was Hai Rong (1763-1825), a renowned military strategist and general who played a crucial role in suppressing several major uprisings during the Qing Dynasty. His innovative tactics and leadership skills earned him widespread recognition and respect among his contemporaries.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname "HAI" gained international recognition through the achievements of individuals like Hai Hongri (1856-1924), a pioneering industrialist and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the modernization of China's textile industry.

Throughout its history, the surname "HAI" has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, ranging from scholars and poets to military leaders and businessmen. While its origins can be traced back to ancient China, the name has left an indelible mark on various aspects of Chinese culture and society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hai

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

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

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

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