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

Najm, 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 Najm surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Najm in America

Najm is the 54178th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Najm surname appeared 381 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 Najm.

We can also compare 2010 data for Najm 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 Najm

The surname NAJM has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the Middle East and the Islamic world. The word "najm" in Arabic means "star" or "celestial body." This connection suggests that the name may have been initially adopted by families or individuals associated with astronomy, astrology, or celestial studies.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname NAJM can be found in medieval Arabic manuscripts and records from regions such as the Levant, Mesopotamia, and the Arabian Peninsula. During the Islamic Golden Age, scholars and scientists from these areas made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and astrology, which could explain the adoption of the name by esteemed families or individuals involved in these pursuits.

In the 11th century, a prominent figure named Ali al-Najm emerged as a renowned astronomer and mathematician from Baghdad. He authored several influential works on astronomy and celestial mechanics, including his treatise "Al-Majisti" (The Astronomer), which was widely studied and referenced by scholars of his time.

Another notable individual bearing the surname NAJM was Najmuddin Kubra, a prominent Sufi mystic and philosopher who lived in the 12th-13th century. He was born in Khwarezm (modern-day Uzbekistan) and founded the Kubrawiya Sufi order, which had a significant influence in the regions of Central Asia and Persia.

During the Mamluk period in Egypt and Syria (13th-16th centuries), the NAJM name appeared in various historical records and chronicles. One such figure was Shamsuddin al-Najm al-Ghizzi, a 14th-century Egyptian scholar and jurist who authored several works on Islamic jurisprudence and theology.

In the Ottoman Empire, the NAJM surname was also found among notable individuals. Yusuf Najm al-Din, a 16th-century Ottoman historian and chronicler, wrote extensively about the history and affairs of the Ottoman court during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

Another prominent figure was Muhammad al-Najm, an 18th-century Arab poet and scholar from Damascus, renowned for his contributions to Arabic literature and his expertise in the fields of grammar, rhetoric, and Islamic sciences.

While the surname NAJM has its roots in the Middle East and the Islamic world, it has since spread to various regions and cultures through migration, trade, and cultural exchange. The name's celestial connotations and association with esteemed scholars and intellectuals have contributed to its enduring legacy and recognition throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Najm

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

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

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

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