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

Muni, 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 Muni surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Muni in America

Muni is the 51941st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Muni surname appeared 400 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 Muni.

We can also compare 2010 data for Muni 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 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The earliest recorded instances of the surname MUNI can be found in historical documents from the Mughal Empire, which ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century.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.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Muni

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

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

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

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