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

Naini, 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 Naini surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Naini in America

Naini is the 118853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Naini surname appeared 146 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 Naini.

The history of the last name Naini

The surname NAINI has its origins in India, specifically in the region of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed to have originated in the 16th century and is derived from the Hindi word "naini," which means "eyes" or "eyes of a river." This suggests that the name may have been given to people who lived near a river or a stream.

One of the earliest records of the name NAINI can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century document commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar. This document mentions a place called "Naini Tal," which translates to "Lake of the Eye." It is possible that the surname NAINI originated from this place name.

In the 17th century, the name NAINI appeared in several historical documents, including the Ain-i-Akbari and the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, which was written during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. These records indicate that the name was associated with individuals who held positions of authority or were involved in administrative roles.

One notable individual with the surname NAINI was Ghazi Khan Naini, a military leader who served under the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the late 17th century. He played a significant role in the expansion of the Mughal Empire and was responsible for several military victories.

Another prominent figure was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), an Indian scholar, poet, and politician who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. He was a member of the Indian National Congress and served as the first education minister of independent India.

In the literary world, the name NAINI is associated with Munshi Premchand (1880-1936), one of the most celebrated writers of modern Hindi literature. His works, such as "Godaan" and "Gaban," are considered classics and have had a profound impact on Indian literature.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), the first Prime Minister of independent India, had a close associate named K.M. Naini, who served as his private secretary and played an essential role in the administration of the newly formed nation.

In more recent times, Naini Singh (1919-2009) was a prominent Indian politician and member of the Indian National Congress. He served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 1963 to 1967 and played a significant role in the state's development during that period.

The surname NAINI continues to be widely used in various parts of India, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. Its rich history and cultural significance make it an integral part of the diverse tapestry of Indian surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Naini

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

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

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

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