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

Pooni, 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 Pooni surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pooni in America

Pooni is the 97210th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pooni surname appeared 187 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 Pooni.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pooni 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 Pooni

The surname POONI is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern region of Punjab. Its roots can be traced back to the 16th century or even earlier. The name is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "punya," which means "virtue" or "righteousness."

The earliest recorded instances of the surname POONI can be found in ancient manuscripts and historical records from the Mughal era. It is believed that the name was initially associated with individuals or families who were known for their virtuous and righteous conduct within their communities.

During the medieval period, the POONI surname gained prominence as it was bestowed upon individuals who excelled in various fields, including academia, literature, and spiritual pursuits. Several notable figures bearing this surname emerged during this time, contributing significantly to the cultural and intellectual landscape of the region.

One of the earliest known references to the POONI surname can be found in the writings of the renowned Sufi poet and scholar, Bulleh Shah (1680-1758). In his poetic compositions, Bulleh Shah mentions individuals with this surname, indicating its widespread use during that era.

Another prominent figure associated with the POONI surname was Bhai Vir Singh (1872-1957), a renowned Sikh theologian, scholar, and writer. His literary works, including the epic poem "Rana Surat Singh," have left an indelible mark on Punjabi literature and the Sikh faith.

In the realm of politics and governance, the POONI surname has also been represented by notable individuals such as Baldev Singh POONI (1898-1974), a prominent freedom fighter and politician who played a crucial role in India's independence movement.

The POONI surname has also been associated with several prominent figures in the field of education and academia. One such individual was Harbhajan Singh POONI (1920-1995), a renowned educationist and founder of the Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, Punjab.

As the POONI surname spread across different regions and communities, it underwent various spelling variations, including PUNI, PONY, and POONY. However, the essence of the name and its association with virtue and righteousness remained largely intact throughout its historical journey.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pooni

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

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

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

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