Shalhoub
An Arabic surname meaning either "born of a prominent family" or "follower of the spiritual path."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Shalhoub. That puts it at #58,735 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Shalhoub 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
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#58,735
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
345
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 345 bearers of the surname Shalhoub in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 58735th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Shalhoub, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.4%) and Two or More Races (1.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Shalhoub
The surname SHALHOUB is of Arabic origin, tracing its roots back to the Middle East and North Africa regions in the medieval era. The name is believed to have originated from the Arabic word "shalhub," which means "fox-like" or "cunning." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been known for their shrewd or clever dispositions.
One of the earliest known references to the SHALHOUB name can be found in historical records from Lebanon and Syria, where it was commonly used among Arabic-speaking communities during the 12th and 13th centuries. The variations in spelling, such as "Shalhoob" and "Shalhub," were common due to the lack of standardized orthography in that era.
In the 14th century, the SHALHOUB name gained prominence in the city of Tripoli, located in modern-day Lebanon. Historical documents from this period mention a prominent merchant and landowner named Ahmad SHALHOUB, who was known for his successful trading ventures and philanthropic endeavors.
As the SHALHOUB family continued to expand and migrate across the region, the name also became associated with various place names. For instance, the town of Shalhoubiyya in Lebanon is believed to have been named after a branch of the SHALHOUB family that settled there in the 16th century.
Among the notable individuals who bore the SHALHOUB surname throughout history are:
1. Khalil SHALHOUB (1878-1952), a renowned Lebanese poet and writer who was instrumental in promoting the revival of Arabic literature during the Nahda (Renaissance) period.
2. Yousef SHALHOUB (1901-1979), a Syrian-born architect who designed several iconic buildings in Beirut, including the famous Ritz Hotel.
3. Hanan SHALHOUB (1923-2010), a Palestinian activist and author who wrote extensively about the struggles of Palestinian refugees and advocated for their rights.
4. Tony SHALHOUB (born 1953), an award-winning American actor of Lebanese descent, best known for his roles in television series such as "Monk" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."
5. Nabil SHALHOUB (born 1967), a prominent Syrian businessman and philanthropist who has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts in the region.
While the SHALHOUB name has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread across the globe, with descendants of the original families residing in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Shalhoub
Among Census respondents with the surname Shalhoub, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.4%) and Two or More Races (1.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Shalhoub 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 Shalhoub surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.0%
- Hispanic or Latino6.4%
- Two or more races1.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Shalhoub 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 | #58,735 | #58,735 | 0.0% |
| Count | 345 | 345 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Shalhoub bearers went from 345 to 345 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #58,735 to #58,735.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Shalhoub
FAQ
Shalhoub surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Shalhoub?
The surname Shalhoub holds position #58,735 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Shalhoub surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Shalhoub, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.4%) and Two or More Races (1.7%). 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.