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

Salehi, 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 Salehi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Salehi in America

Salehi is the 25003rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Salehi surname appeared 994 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 Salehi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Salehi 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 Salehi

The surname Salehi is believed to have originated from Iran, specifically in the regions of Isfahan and Khorasan, dating back to the 9th century AD. It is derived from the Arabic word "Salehi," which means "virtuous" or "pious." The name may have initially been used as a descriptive term or a nickname for individuals known for their devout religious practices or moral integrity.

In the early Islamic era, when Persian culture was heavily influenced by Arabic language and traditions, many surnames emerged from personal qualities, occupations, or geographical locations. The Salehi name likely fell into the former category, distinguishing families or individuals revered for their religious devotion or righteous conduct.

Historical records from the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) in Iran mention individuals bearing the Salehi surname, suggesting its widespread use during that period. One notable figure was Salehi Isfahani, a renowned Iranian calligrapher and poet who lived in the 16th century.

The name Salehi also appeared in various manuscripts and literary works from the Persian-speaking regions of Central Asia, including present-day Afghanistan and Tajikistan. These references indicate the surname's presence across a broader geographical area influenced by Persian culture and language.

Among the earliest recorded individuals with the Salehi surname was Ali Salehi, a celebrated Persian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 10th century AD. His contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the study of geometry and trigonometry, were highly influential during his time.

Another prominent figure was Mirza Mohammad Salehi, a 19th-century Iranian diplomat and statesman who played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and fostering diplomatic relations between Iran and other nations.

Sadegh Salehi, born in 1880, was a renowned Iranian poet and literary figure known for his mastery of the Persian language and his contributions to the revival of classical Persian poetry.

In more recent history, Gholam Hossein Salehi (1927–2019) was a celebrated Iranian painter and sculptor whose works were widely acclaimed both within Iran and internationally.

It is worth noting that the Salehi surname has also been found in other regions, such as India and Central Asia, where Persian cultural influences have been significant. However, its origins can be traced back to the Iranian plateau, where it emerged as a distinctive surname reflecting the values and traditions of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Salehi

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

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

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

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