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

Rihani, 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 Rihani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rihani in America

Rihani is the 64891st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rihani surname appeared 306 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 Rihani.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rihani 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 Rihani

The surname RIHANI is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the Middle East region, particularly Lebanon. It is derived from the Arabic word "rihan," which means basil or sweet basil. The name is believed to have originated in the early medieval period, when the cultivation and trade of spices and herbs, including basil, were prevalent in the region.

The earliest recorded instances of the RIHANI surname can be found in historical documents and records from the 13th to 15th centuries in the area that is now modern-day Lebanon. These records often refer to individuals involved in the cultivation, trade, or use of basil, suggesting that the name may have been an occupational surname initially.

One of the earliest known references to the RIHANI surname is found in a manuscript from the late 13th century, which mentions a merchant named Ali al-Rihani who traded in spices and herbs between Lebanon and the surrounding regions.

As the surname spread and became more common, it also gained associations with various place names in Lebanon. For example, some records mention individuals from the village of Rihan or Rihan al-Faouqa in northern Lebanon, suggesting that the surname may have been adopted by families originating from these locations.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the RIHANI surname. One of the most prominent figures was Ameen Rihani (1876-1940), a Lebanese-American writer, philosopher, and intellectual who played a significant role in the Arab literary renaissance of the early 20th century.

Another notable RIHANI was Mustafa Rihani (1853-1925), a prominent Lebanese politician and thinker who advocated for Lebanese independence and Arab unity. He served as the President of the Lebanese Administrative Council in the early 20th century.

In the realm of art and literature, Wadi' al-Rihani (1897-1973) was a renowned Lebanese poet and essayist, known for his contributions to modern Arabic poetry and his advocacy for social and political reform.

Saleh Rihani (1910-1977) was a prominent Lebanese academic and historian who wrote extensively on the history and culture of Lebanon and the Levant region.

Lastly, Rasha al-Rihani (1962-present) is a contemporary Lebanese novelist and playwright, whose works explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the complexities of modern Arab society.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the RIHANI surname throughout history, reflecting the name's deep roots in the Middle East and its association with various fields, from literature and politics to academia and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rihani

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

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

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

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