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

Makanani, 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 Makanani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Makanani in America

Makanani is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Makanani surname appeared 108 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 Makanani.

The history of the last name Makanani

The surname MAKANANI is of Hawaiian origin, tracing its roots back to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands. The name is believed to have emerged during the pre-colonial era, prior to the arrival of European explorers and settlers in the late 18th century.

MAKANANI is derived from the Hawaiian words "maka" meaning "eye" and "nani" meaning "beautiful" or "attractive." The combination of these words suggests that the name may have been originally bestowed upon individuals with striking or captivating eyes, a trait highly valued in traditional Hawaiian culture.

While the exact origin of the surname is unclear, it is possible that MAKANANI was initially used as a descriptive epithet or nickname, which later evolved into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. In Hawaiian tradition, names often carried deep symbolic meaning, reflecting physical characteristics, personality traits, or significant events.

Historical records from the Hawaiian Kingdom era, spanning the late 18th to late 19th centuries, have documented the presence of individuals bearing the surname MAKANANI. One notable figure was Keoni Makanani, a high-ranking ali'i (chief) who played a prominent role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands under King Kamehameha I in the early 1800s.

Another individual of note was Kalani Makanani, a respected kahuna (priest) and navigator who lived during the reign of King Kamehameha III in the mid-19th century. Kalani was renowned for his expertise in traditional Hawaiian wayfinding techniques, guiding voyaging canoes across vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean.

In the late 19th century, a prominent Hawaiian scholar and historian, Kepelino Makanani, authored several influential works documenting Hawaiian cultural traditions, legends, and genealogies. His writings have become invaluable resources for understanding the rich heritage of the Hawaiian people.

During the early 20th century, a renowned Hawaiian musician and composer, Joseph Makanani, gained acclaim for his contributions to the revitalization of traditional Hawaiian music and dance. His compositions, which drew inspiration from ancient chants and melodies, played a significant role in preserving and promoting Hawaiian cultural identity.

In more recent times, the MAKANANI surname has been carried by notable figures such as Keahi Makanani, a respected kumu hula (hula teacher) who has dedicated her life to perpetuating the art of hula and sharing its cultural significance with future generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Makanani

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

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

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

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