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

Haji, 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 Haji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Haji in America

Haji is the 17521st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Haji surname appeared 1,608 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Haji.

We can also compare 2010 data for Haji 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 Haji

The surname "Haji" originates from the Arabic language and is believed to have its roots in the Middle East, particularly in regions with a significant Muslim population. The name is derived from the Arabic word "Hajji," which refers to a person who has completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, a sacred journey that is one of the five pillars of Islam.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "Haji" can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the early years of the Islamic caliphate. It was commonly used as an honorific title for those who had undertaken the Hajj pilgrimage, signifying their religious devotion and the spiritual significance of their journey. Over time, the title became a surname, passed down through generations of Muslim families.

One of the earliest known references to the name "Haji" can be found in the historical accounts of the Umayyad Caliphate, which ruled from 661 to 750 AD. During this period, several prominent figures bore the surname, including Haji Ibn Battuta, a renowned Moroccan explorer and traveler who journeyed across vast regions of Asia and Africa in the 14th century (1304-1369 AD).

Another notable figure was Haji Bektash Veli, a 13th-century Turkish mystic and philosopher who founded the Bektashi Sufi order. His teachings and spiritual guidance had a profound impact on the development of Sufism in Anatolia and beyond (1209-1271 AD).

In the realm of literature, the name "Haji" is associated with Haji Molla Panah Vagif, an 18th-century Azerbaijani poet and satirist who is considered one of the most influential figures in the golden age of Azerbaijani literature (1717-1797 AD).

During the Ottoman Empire, the surname "Haji" gained prominence, and many influential figures bore it, such as Haji Bayram Veli, a 15th-century Turkish poet and Sufi mystic who founded the Bayramiyya order of dervishes (1352-1429 AD).

In more recent times, Haji Muhammad Mohsin, a prominent Indian Muslim scholar and author from the 19th century, made significant contributions to the study of Islamic law and jurisprudence (1804-1880 AD).

While the surname "Haji" has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic traditions, it has been adopted by various cultures and communities across the Middle East, North Africa, and regions with significant Muslim populations. The name continues to hold spiritual and cultural significance, serving as a reminder of the Hajj pilgrimage and the shared heritage of those who bear it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Haji

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

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

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

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