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

Palani, 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 Palani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Palani in America

Palani is the 84136th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Palani surname appeared 223 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 Palani.

The history of the last name Palani

The surname PALANI originates from the Tamil region of southern India, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 9th century CE. It is believed to be derived from the Tamil word "palaniyam," which refers to a branch of the ancient Pallava dynasty that ruled parts of southern India between the 3rd and 9th centuries CE.

One of the earliest known references to the name PALANI can be found in the inscriptions of the Vaidumba Theerthar Temple in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, which date back to the 9th century CE. These inscriptions mention individuals bearing the surname PALANI, suggesting its presence among the local population at that time.

In the 12th century, the PALANI surname is mentioned in the Chola inscriptions found in the temples of Tanjore (now Thanjavur) and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, both major cities of the Chola Empire. These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the social and administrative roles held by individuals bearing this surname during that era.

One notable figure with the surname PALANI was Anirudda Palani, a Tamil scholar and poet who lived in the 13th century CE. His works, including the "Palani Aandal Shatakam," a collection of devotional poems, have contributed significantly to the literary heritage of Tamil culture.

During the 16th century, the PALANI surname gained prominence in the Madurai region of Tamil Nadu, where it was associated with the Nayak dynasty. Krishnappa Nayak Palani, a prominent military commander and administrator, served under the Madurai Nayaks and played a crucial role in the expansion and governance of their kingdom.

Another notable figure was Muthu Palani, a 17th-century Tamil poet and scholar whose works, such as the "Palani Venba," have been widely studied and celebrated within the Tamil literary tradition.

Over the centuries, the PALANI surname has been found in various historical records, inscriptions, and literary works across Tamil Nadu, reflecting its deep roots and cultural significance within the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Palani

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

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

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

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