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

Sankari, 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 Sankari surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sankari in America

Sankari is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sankari surname appeared 129 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 Sankari.

The history of the last name Sankari

The surname "SANKARI" is of Finnish origin, with its roots tracing back to the late medieval period in the region of modern-day western Finland. The name is believed to be derived from the Finnish word "sankari," which translates to "hero" or "champion," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been revered for their bravery or prowess in battle or other pursuits.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "SANKARI" can be found in the Finnish parish records from the 16th century, where it appears as a variant spelling, "Sangari." This variation in spelling was not uncommon during that time, as standardized spellings were not yet widely established.

In the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the surname "SANKARI" was Martti Sankari, a Finnish soldier and military officer who fought in the Swedish-Danish War of 1657-1658. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him recognition and likely contributed to the positive connotations associated with the name.

During the 18th century, the name "SANKARI" gained further prominence with the birth of Pekka Sankari (1720-1789), a renowned Finnish poet and playwright. His works, which often celebrated Finnish culture and heritage, helped solidify the name's association with national pride and cultural identity.

In the 19th century, the surname "SANKARI" was borne by Juho Sankari (1835-1899), a Finnish educator and advocate for Finnish language education. His efforts to promote the use of Finnish in schools and universities played a crucial role in the preservation and advancement of the Finnish language.

Another notable figure with the surname "SANKARI" was Liisa Sankari (1862-1944), a Finnish writer and feminist activist. She was a pioneer in advocating for women's rights and gender equality, and her works shed light on the challenges faced by women in Finnish society during her time.

As the surname "SANKARI" has been present in Finland for several centuries, it is likely that it has been associated with various places and landmarks throughout the country. However, specific records or references to such place names have not been widely documented or preserved.

It is important to note that while the surname "SANKARI" has a rich history and cultural significance in Finland, its prevalence and distribution may have shifted over time due to migration, intermarriage, and other demographic factors. Nevertheless, the name continues to carry the legacy of heroism, national pride, and cultural identity that has been woven into its etymology and historical associations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sankari

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

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 Sankari 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.

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

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

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