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

Najeeb, 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 Najeeb surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Najeeb in America

Najeeb is the 85659th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Najeeb surname appeared 218 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 Najeeb.

The history of the last name Najeeb

The surname Najeeb originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle East. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 7th or 8th century CE, when Arabic culture and language spread across the region.

Najeeb is derived from the Arabic word "najeeb," which means "noble" or "distinguished." It was likely initially used as a descriptive term to refer to individuals of high social status or those with admirable qualities. Over time, it transitioned into a hereditary surname passed down through generations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Najeeb can be found in the chronicles of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled a vast empire stretching from North Africa to Central Asia between the 8th and 13th centuries. These chronicles mention several prominent figures bearing the name Najeeb, indicating its use during that era.

During the Ottoman Empire's reign, which spanned from the 13th to the early 20th century, the Najeeb surname was particularly prevalent in regions like Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. Historical records from this period, such as tax registers and legal documents, contain numerous references to individuals with the surname Najeeb.

One notable individual from this era was Al-Najeeb Al-Mutawakkil (1232-1294), a renowned scholar and mathematician from Damascus. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and wrote several influential treatises on the subject.

Another prominent figure was Najeeb Arbuthnot (1768-1850), an East India Company officer and diplomat who played a crucial role in the Anglo-Sikh Wars in the early 19th century. His negotiations with the Sikh Empire helped shape the political landscape of the region.

In the 20th century, Najeeb Halaby (1915-2003), an American businessman and former CEO of Pan American World Airways, was a prominent figure with this surname. He was also the father of Queen Noor of Jordan, the wife of the late King Hussein.

Najeeb Mahfoud (1911-1986), a renowned Lebanese writer and playwright, was another notable figure. His works, which explored themes of identity and social issues, had a significant impact on Arabic literature and theater.

Lastly, Najeeb Razak (1956-2022), a Malaysian politician and former Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018, carried this distinguished surname. He played a crucial role in the country's political and economic development during his tenure.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Najeeb

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

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

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

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