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

Maali, 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 Maali surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Maali in America

Maali is the 56195th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Maali surname appeared 364 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 Maali.

We can also compare 2010 data for Maali 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 Maali

The surname "MAALI" is believed to have originated in India during the medieval period. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "mala," which means garland or wreath. This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals who were skilled in making or selling garlands, which were used in religious ceremonies and other cultural traditions.

During the late medieval period, the name "MAALI" appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, particularly in regions of northern and central India. One notable reference is found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar, which mentions individuals with the surname "MAALI" serving in various capacities within the imperial court.

The earliest documented occurrence of the name "MAALI" can be traced back to the 12th century, when a manuscript from the city of Thanjavur in southern India referenced a poet named Subrahmanya Maali, who was renowned for his contributions to Tamil literature.

In the 14th century, the "Maali" community, comprising individuals engaged in the cultivation and trade of flowers, gained prominence in the region of Rajasthan. This connection further solidified the association between the surname "MAALI" and the profession of making and selling garlands.

Notable historical figures with the surname "MAALI" include:

1. Malik Ambar (1548-1626), a prominent military leader and prime minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the Deccan region of India.
2. Girdhari Lal Maali (1886-1934), an Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.
3. Keshav Maali (1918-1982), a celebrated Indian sculptor and artist known for his work in stone and bronze.
4. Sushila Maali (1941-2022), an Indian social worker and activist who dedicated her life to empowering women and children from underprivileged communities.
5. Rajendra Maali (born 1960), a prominent Indian writer and poet who has received several awards and accolades for his literary contributions.

While the name "MAALI" has its roots in India, it has also been adopted by various communities across the globe, particularly in regions with historical ties to the Indian subcontinent. However, the origins and historical significance of this surname remain deeply rooted in the cultural and linguistic traditions of India.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Maali

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

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

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

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