Sali
A surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a placename.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 377 Americans carry the last name Sali. That puts it at #61,123 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.11 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 909,163 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sali surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
377
1 in 909,163
Census rank
#61,123
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
329
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 329 bearers of the surname Sali in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 61123rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Sali, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.2%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (11.6%) and Black (6.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Sali
The surname SALI is of Italian origin, and it can be traced back to the 14th century in the region of Tuscany. The name is believed to have derived from the Latin word "salire," which means "to rise" or "to ascend." This could suggest that the name was originally given to someone who lived on a hill or a high place.
One of the earliest known references to the SALI surname can be found in the records of the city of Florence, where a certain Guido Sali was mentioned in a document dated 1376. This document was a record of property ownership and transactions.
In the 15th century, the SALI family seemed to have gained prominence in the city of Siena, where they were involved in the local government and politics. One notable member was Francesco Sali, who served as a councilor in the city's administration between 1461 and 1467.
During the Renaissance period, the SALI name was also associated with the arts. Pietro Sali (1515-1592) was a renowned painter from Siena, known for his religious works and frescoes adorning various churches in the region.
The SALI surname also has a connection to the world of literature. Antonio Sali (1671-1738) was an Italian poet and playwright from Pistoia, whose works were popular during the Baroque period.
In the 19th century, the SALI name gained recognition in the field of science. Giuseppe Sali (1818-1892) was an Italian mathematician and astronomer from Pisa, who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the motion of planets.
Throughout history, the SALI surname has been found in various parts of Italy, with slight variations in spelling, such as Sali, Salie, or Salii. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remain unchanged, tracing back to its Latin roots and the idea of ascension or elevation.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Sali
Among Census respondents with the surname Sali, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.2%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (11.6%) and Black (6.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Sali bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Sali surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White74.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander11.6%
- Black or African American6.1%
- Hispanic or Latino5.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Sali surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #61,123 | #61,123 | 0.0% |
| Count | 329 | 329 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Sali bearers went from 329 to 329 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #61,123 to #61,123.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Sali
FAQ
Sali surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Sali?
The surname Sali holds position #61,123 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 377 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Sali surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Sali, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.2%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (11.6%) and Black (6.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.