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

Niang, 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 Niang surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Niang in America

Niang is the 27228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Niang surname appeared 888 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 Niang.

We can also compare 2010 data for Niang 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 Niang

The surname NIANG has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the Mandinka ethnic group of modern-day Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. It is believed to have emerged around the 13th century, derived from the Mandinka word "niang," meaning "mother" or "respected woman."

In the 15th century, during the reign of the Mali Empire, the NIANG surname appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, notably in accounts of trade and diplomatic relations between the empire and Portuguese explorers along the West African coast. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in Portuguese documents from that era.

One notable figure bearing the NIANG surname was Fatim NIANG, a prominent Mandinka trader and diplomat who facilitated trade agreements between the Mali Empire and Portuguese merchants in the late 15th century. Her influential role in fostering economic and cultural exchange has been documented in various historical accounts.

In the 16th century, the NIANG surname was also associated with the Jolof Empire, a powerful West African kingdom located in present-day Senegal and Gambia. Historical records mention Biram NIANG, a skilled military leader and advisor to the Jolof rulers, who played a crucial role in defending the empire against invasions.

As the transatlantic slave trade expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries, many individuals with the NIANG surname were forcibly transported from West Africa to the Americas, particularly to the Caribbean islands and parts of North and South America. Despite the tragic circumstances, the NIANG surname has persisted and spread across various regions through the descendants of these enslaved people.

In the 19th century, one prominent individual bearing the NIANG surname was Aline NIANG, a renowned Senegalese writer and educator who played a significant role in promoting literacy and education among women in West Africa. Her literary works, published in the late 1800s, shed light on the cultural traditions and challenges faced by women in her community.

Another notable figure was Abdoulaye NIANG, a respected Malian diplomat and statesman who served as the ambassador to France in the early 20th century, representing the interests of his country in international affairs.

Throughout history, the NIANG surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including traders, leaders, writers, educators, and diplomats, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Mandinka people and their descendants across the globe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Niang

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

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

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

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