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

Karnani, 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 Karnani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Karnani in America

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

The Karnani 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 Karnani.

The history of the last name Karnani

The surname KARNANI is of Indian origin, specifically from the western state of Gujarat. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "Karna," which means "ear" or "one who listens attentively." The suffix "ani" is a common addition to denote a caste or community.

KARNANI likely originated as a surname among the trading and mercantile communities of Gujarat, who were known for their business acumen and attentive listening to customers. The earliest records of the name can be traced back to the 16th century, when the Karnani families were prominent in the cities of Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara.

One of the earliest documented references to the KARNANI surname is found in a Persian manuscript dated 1587, which mentions a wealthy merchant named Lakshmi Karnani from Ahmedabad. This suggests that the name was already well-established in that region by the late 16th century.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the KARNANI families played a significant role in the flourishing textile trade between Gujarat and other parts of India, as well as with the European trading companies that had established outposts in the region. Several historical records mention KARNANI merchants and their involvement in the export of silk, cotton, and spices.

Notable individuals with the KARNANI surname include:

1. Shantidas Karnani (1675-1745), a prominent merchant and philanthropist from Surat, who founded one of the earliest charitable institutions in the city.
2. Manilal Karnani (1857-1925), a pioneering industrialist from Ahmedabad, who established the first textile mill in the city and played a crucial role in the development of the local textile industry.
3. Sumati Karnani (1900-1982), a renowned educationist and social reformer from Gujarat, who worked tirelessly to promote female education and empowerment.
4. Dinkar Karnani (1919-2003), a celebrated Gujarati poet and writer, whose works explored the themes of social justice, human rights, and the beauty of nature.
5. Vijay Karnani (born 1952), a highly successful entrepreneur and business leader, who founded several companies in the fields of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and real estate.

The KARNANI surname has also been associated with various place names in Gujarat, such as Karnani Gam (Karnani Village) and Karnani Vad (Karnani Locality), which further reinforces its deep-rooted connection to the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Karnani

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

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

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

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