Muni
A locational surname indicating a place of origin or residence.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 480 Americans carry the last name Muni. That puts it at #51,941 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 714,072 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Muni surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
480
1 in 714,072
Census rank
#51,941
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
400
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 400 bearers of the surname Muni in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 51941st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Muni, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.8%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (26.8%) and Hispanic (7.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Muni
The surname MUNI originated in India and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "muni," which means "sage" or "ascetic." The name was likely given to individuals who lived a life of spiritual contemplation and detachment from material possessions.
In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, the term "muni" was used to refer to enlightened sages or hermits who had attained a high level of spiritual knowledge and wisdom. These individuals were revered for their teachings and contribution to the philosophical and religious traditions of India.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname MUNI can be found in historical documents from the Mughal Empire, which ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century. During this period, the name was commonly associated with Brahmin families and scholars who studied and taught Hindu philosophy and sacred texts.
One notable figure with the surname MUNI was Adi Shankara Muni, a renowned Hindu philosopher and theologian who lived in the 8th century CE. He is credited with reviving and reforming the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy and establishing several important monasteries across India.
Another prominent individual was Raja Ram Mohan Roy Muni, a Bengali Renaissance figure who lived from 1772 to 1833. He was a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance and played a significant role in the abolition of the practice of Sati (widow burning) in British India.
In the literary realm, Munshi Premchand Muni (1880-1936) was a celebrated writer and novelist who is regarded as one of the greatest literary figures in modern Hindi literature. His works often explored themes of social injustice, poverty, and the struggles of ordinary people in India.
The name MUNI can also be found in historical records from the Maratha Empire, which was a major power in the Indian subcontinent during the 17th and 18th centuries. One notable figure from this period was Malhar Rao Holkar Muni (1693-1766), a prominent military leader and the founder of the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Empire.
Throughout history, the surname MUNI has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including philosophy, literature, and social reform. Despite its ancient origins, the name continues to be widely used in different parts of India, reflecting the enduring legacy of the country's rich cultural and spiritual traditions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Muni
Among Census respondents with the surname Muni, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.8%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (26.8%) and Hispanic (7.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Muni bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Muni surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White59.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander26.8%
- Hispanic or Latino7.5%
- Black or African American3.5%
- Two or more races2.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Muni surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #51,024 | #51,941 | -1.8% |
| Count | 384 | 400 | 4.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Muni bearers went from 384 to 400 (+4.2% change). The surname moved down 917 positions in the national ranking, going from #51,024 to #51,941.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Muni
FAQ
Muni surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Muni?
The surname Muni holds position #51,941 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 480 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Muni surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Muni, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.8%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (26.8%) and Hispanic (7.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.