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

Jih, 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 Jih surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Jih in America

Jih is the 136449th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Jih surname appeared 123 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 Jih.

We can also compare 2010 data for Jih 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 Jih

The surname JIH is of Arabic origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle East during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Arabic word "jiha," which means "side" or "direction." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been associated with cardinal directions, such as residing in a particular region or serving as guides or navigators.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the JIH surname can be found in historical manuscripts from the 12th century, where it was often spelled as "Jiyah" or "Jiyya." These manuscripts detail the lives and travels of notable scholars and merchants who ventured across the vast expanse of the Islamic world, spanning from the Iberian Peninsula to the Indian subcontinent.

In the 13th century, the JIH surname gained prominence in various parts of the Middle East, particularly in regions that are now part of modern-day Syria, Iraq, and Iran. During this time, the name appeared in several court records and trade documents, indicating that some JIH families held influential positions within their respective communities.

One notable figure bearing the JIH surname was Ahmad ibn Jiyah al-Baghdadi, a renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher who lived in Baghdad during the 12th century. His contributions to the fields of logic, metaphysics, and theology were widely celebrated throughout the Islamic world.

Another prominent individual was Fatima bint Jiyah al-Andalusiya, a celebrated poet and literary figure from the Andalusian region of Spain in the 11th century. Her poetic works, which often celebrated the beauty of nature and the complexities of human emotions, were highly regarded and have been preserved in various anthologies.

In the 14th century, the JIH surname spread to other parts of the Middle East and North Africa, with records indicating its presence in areas such as Egypt, Morocco, and the Arabian Peninsula. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Khalil ibn Jiyah al-Maghribi, a renowned traveler and explorer who documented his journeys across the vast deserts and trade routes of the region.

As the centuries passed, the JIH surname continued to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, merchants, artisans, and military leaders. In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Mahmoud JIH al-Jazari gained recognition for his expertise in the field of mechanical engineering, contributing to the development of intricate water clocks and automata.

Throughout its long history, the JIH surname has been associated with various place names and geographic regions, including the cities of Baghdad, Damascus, and Cairo, as well as the broader regions of Andalusia, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. The name's enduring presence across these diverse locations highlights the cultural and historical connections that have shaped the Middle East and its diasporas over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Jih

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

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

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

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