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

Punjani, 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 Punjani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Punjani in America

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

The Punjani 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 Punjani.

We can also compare 2010 data for Punjani 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 Punjani

The surname Punjani has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, specifically originating from the region known as Punjab. The name likely emerged during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 11th or 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Persian word "punjah," meaning "five," and the Sanskrit word "jani," meaning "born" or "originating from." Together, the name suggests "born from the five rivers," referring to the five major rivers that flow through the Punjab region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Punjani can be traced back to the 14th century, where it appears in various historical records and documents from the Delhi Sultanate. During this period, the Punjab region was a prominent center of trade, culture, and intellectual pursuits, and it is possible that the Punjani surname was associated with influential families or individuals involved in these activities.

Notable figures bearing the Punjani surname include Malik Muhammad Punjani, a renowned poet and scholar who lived during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. His works, which encompassed subjects such as philosophy, religion, and literature, are considered significant contributions to the intellectual and cultural heritage of the region.

Another prominent figure was Syed Ali Punjani, a revered Sufi saint and spiritual leader who lived in the 17th century. His teachings and writings had a profound impact on the spiritual landscape of the Punjab region, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by many to this day.

In the 18th century, the Punjani surname was associated with the growing mercantile class in the region. One such individual was Haji Mohammad Punjani, a wealthy merchant and trader who played a significant role in the economic development of the region during that time.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Punjani gained recognition through the contributions of Sardar Khair-ud-Din Punjani, a prominent military leader and statesman who served under the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh. His bravery and strategic acumen were widely celebrated, and he played a pivotal role in several major battles and campaigns during that era.

Throughout its history, the Punjani surname has been closely tied to the rich cultural heritage of the Punjab region, with its bearers contributing to various fields, including literature, religion, trade, and military affairs. While the name may have evolved and adapted over time, its roots and significance remain deeply intertwined with the vibrant history of the Indian subcontinent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Punjani

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

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

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

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