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

Holani, 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 Holani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Holani in America

Holani is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Holani surname appeared 107 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 Holani.

The history of the last name Holani

The surname Holani is believed to have originated in the Pacific Islands, particularly in the Hawaiian and Samoan regions. The name likely derives from the Polynesian word "holani," which means "to be hospitable" or "to welcome."

In ancient Polynesian cultures, hospitality and welcoming visitors were highly valued virtues, and it is plausible that the name Holani was bestowed upon individuals or families who embodied these qualities. The earliest known records of the name date back to the 18th century, when European explorers and missionaries began documenting the indigenous populations of the Pacific Islands.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Holani is found in the journals of Captain James Cook, the famous British explorer who visited the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. In his accounts, Cook mentions encountering a village chief named Holani on the island of Kauai. This suggests that the name was already well-established among the native Hawaiian population by the late 18th century.

Another notable early reference to the name can be found in the writings of the Reverend Sheldon Dibble, an American missionary who lived in the Hawaiian Islands from 1836 to 1845. Dibble's records mention a prominent Hawaiian family with the surname Holani, indicating the name's continued presence in the region throughout the 19th century.

In Samoa, the name Holani is also documented from the early 19th century onwards. One of the earliest recorded examples is Holani Tuiatua, a Samoan chief who played a significant role in the island's cultural and political affairs during the 1830s and 1840s.

Other notable individuals with the surname Holani include:

1. Holani Lolomatauafa (1847-1923), a Samoan chief and orator who was instrumental in preserving traditional Samoan culture and language.
2. Holani Kinikini (1886-1958), a Hawaiian musician and composer known for his contributions to the development of Hawaiian music.
3. Holani Peteru (1903-1984), a Samoan politician and educator who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa.
4. Holani Mataele (1928-2002), a renowned Tongan artist and sculptor whose works celebrated Pacific Island culture and heritage.
5. Holani Pupungatoa (born 1976), a New Zealand rugby union player who represented Samoa at the international level.

While the name Holani has its roots in the Pacific Islands, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain closely tied to the traditions and values of the Polynesian peoples.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Holani

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

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

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

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