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

Kajani, 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 Kajani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kajani in America

Kajani is the 135593rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kajani surname appeared 124 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 Kajani.

The history of the last name Kajani

The surname Kajani is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "kajjana," which means "black" or "dark-colored." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals with darker complexions or perhaps those hailing from certain areas known for their darker-skinned inhabitants.

One of the earliest known references to the name Kajani can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It mentions a certain "Kajani Khan" who served as a military commander during Akbar's reign. Unfortunately, specific details about this individual's life and achievements are scarce.

In the 17th century, there are records of a prominent Kajani family residing in the city of Lahore, which was then part of the Mughal Empire. The family was known for their involvement in trade and commerce, and some members held influential positions within the local administration.

A notable figure bearing the Kajani name was Inayat Khan Kajani, a Sufi mystic and musician who lived from 1882 to 1927. Born in Baroda, India, he traveled extensively and eventually settled in Europe, where he established the Sufi Order in the West. His teachings and music had a significant impact on the spread of Sufism in the Western world.

Another individual of note was Sher Ali Khan Kajani, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in the early 19th century. He was born in Multan, a city in present-day Pakistan, and gained recognition for his contributions to Punjabi literature and poetry.

In more recent times, Dr. Amjad Kajani, a renowned cardiologist and medical researcher, has made significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1945, he has authored numerous publications and has been recognized for his work in developing advanced techniques for treating heart diseases.

It is worth noting that while the surname Kajani has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since been carried by individuals and families across various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, the name's origins can be traced back to the historical regions mentioned above.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kajani

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

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

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

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