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

Keri, 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 Keri surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Keri in America

Keri is the 84748th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Keri surname appeared 221 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 Keri.

We can also compare 2010 data for Keri 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 Keri

The surname "KERI" has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the southern region of India. It traces its roots back to the ancient Tamil language, where it was derived from the word "Keri," which means "coconut tree."

In the early days, surnames were often derived from occupations, geographical locations, or physical characteristics. The surname "KERI" likely originated from individuals who either lived near or cultivated coconut trees, or were associated with coconut-related trades.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Sangam literature, a vast corpus of Tamil poetry dating back to the early centuries of the common era. The name appears in several literary works, indicating its presence in the region during that time period.

During the medieval period, the surname "KERI" was particularly prevalent in the regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where coconut cultivation was a significant agricultural activity. Several prominent individuals bearing this surname emerged during this era, including the famous Tamil poet and scholar, Auvaiyar (circa 1st century BCE - 1st century CE), who is renowned for her ethical and moral teachings.

As trade and migration patterns evolved, the surname "KERI" gradually spread to other parts of India and beyond. One notable figure was Keri Anant Krishna Shastri (1822-1887), a prominent Sanskrit scholar and linguist from Maharashtra, who made significant contributions to the study of ancient Indian texts.

Another individual of note was Keri Mulk (1720-1786), a powerful nobleman and military commander who served under the Nizam of Hyderabad in the 18th century. His exploits and bravery in various battles earned him a respected place in the history of the Deccan region.

In more recent times, the surname "KERI" has been associated with several accomplished individuals in various fields. Dr. Keri Hulme (born 1947) is a renowned New Zealand author and writer who won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1985 for her novel "The Bone People."

It is also worth mentioning Keri Russell (born 1976), an American actress known for her roles in popular television series like "Felicity" and "The Americans," which have garnered her critical acclaim and numerous award nominations.

While the surname "KERI" has its roots in India, it has now spread globally and is found in various parts of the world, carrying with it the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of its origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Keri

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

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

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

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