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

Maloof, 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 Maloof surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Maloof in America

Maloof is the 18286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Maloof surname appeared 1,518 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Maloof.

We can also compare 2010 data for Maloof 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 Maloof

The surname Maloof is of Arabic origin, tracing its roots back to the Middle East and the Arabic language. The name is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "Ma'luf," which means "familiar" or "well-known." It is speculated that the name was initially given as a descriptive epithet to someone who was widely recognized or had an established reputation within their community.

One of the earliest records of the Maloof surname can be found in historical documents from the region of modern-day Lebanon, where it was commonly used among Arabic-speaking populations. The name gained prominence during the medieval period, with some references suggesting its appearance in manuscripts and chronicles from the 12th and 13th centuries.

As the name spread across the Middle East and North Africa, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Malouf, Maluf, and Mallouf, reflecting the fluidity of Arabic naming conventions and local dialects. These variations can be traced back to different regions and time periods, providing insights into the cultural and linguistic diversity of the areas where the name was adopted.

Notably, the Maloof surname has been associated with several prominent figures throughout history. One such individual was Abdallah Maloof (1856-1935), a renowned Lebanese-American writer, poet, and journalist who played a significant role in promoting Arabic literature and culture in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Another notable bearer of the Maloof name was Mikhail Maloof (1877-1957), a Syrian-born American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Los Angeles, California. His legacy includes the establishment of the Maloof Foundation, which supported various educational and charitable initiatives.

In the realm of sports, Gaston Maloof (1923-2009) was a prominent figure. Born in Lebanon, he immigrated to the United States and founded the Maloof Companies, a conglomerate that included the ownership of the Sacramento Kings basketball team and the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

The Maloof surname has also been associated with artists and cultural figures. Georges Maloof (1917-2007), a Lebanese-American artist and sculptor, gained recognition for his abstract works and contributions to the modern art movement in the United States.

Another notable individual was Raya Maloof (1925-2017), a Lebanese-American fashion designer and entrepreneur who founded the eponymous clothing line "Raya Maloof" and gained international acclaim for her elegant and sophisticated designs.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals bearing the Maloof surname, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and the impact it has had across various fields and regions throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Maloof

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

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

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

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