Nakhle last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Nakhle

A surname derived from the Arabic word for palm tree.

Nakhle, 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 Nakhle surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nakhle in America

Nakhle is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nakhle surname appeared 108 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 Nakhle.

The history of the last name Nakhle

The surname Nakhle originates from the Arabic language, with its roots traced back to the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon and Syria. The name is derived from the Arabic word "nakhla," which translates to "palm tree," suggesting a potential connection to regions known for their palm groves or agricultural activities.

During the medieval period, the name Nakhle can be found in various historical records and manuscripts from the Levant region. One notable mention comes from the chronicles of Ibn al-Qalanisi, a 12th-century historian from Damascus, who documented the presence of individuals bearing the surname Nakhle in the city's administrative records.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Nakhle can be traced back to the 13th century, with several mentions in genealogical records from the coastal cities of Tripoli and Sidon in present-day Lebanon. These records often included variations in spelling, such as Nakhla, Nakhleh, or Nakhlawi, reflecting the cultural and linguistic influences of the time.

One notable figure bearing the surname Nakhle was Yusuf al-Nakhle, a prominent scholar and poet from Beirut who lived in the 16th century. His works, which explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality, were widely celebrated and preserved in literary anthologies of the Ottoman era.

In the 18th century, the Nakhle family played a significant role in the silk trade in Mount Lebanon, with several members holding influential positions in the industry. One such individual was Ibrahim Nakhle, a prominent silk merchant who established trade routes with European markets and contributed to the region's economic prosperity.

Another notable figure was Khalil Nakhle, a 19th-century philosopher and educator from Zahle, Lebanon. Nakhle's writings on ethics, education, and social reform had a profound impact on the intellectual landscape of the region, and he is remembered as a pioneering figure in the Arab Renaissance movement.

In the realm of politics, Michel Nakhle, born in 1901 in Beirut, made significant contributions as a statesman and diplomat. He served as Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs and played a crucial role in shaping the country's international relations during the mid-20th century.

The surname Nakhle can also be found among prominent figures in the arts and literature, such as the renowned Lebanese novelist and playwright Amin Nakhle, born in 1935. His works, which explored themes of identity, diaspora, and socio-political transformations, have been widely celebrated and translated into multiple languages.

While the surname Nakhle has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread across the globe through migration and diaspora communities, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nakhle

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

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 Nakhle was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 96.30% 104
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

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

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"Nakhle last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/nakhle-surname-popularity/.

"Nakhle last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/nakhle-surname-popularity/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Nakhle last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/nakhle-surname-popularity/.

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