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

Shihab, 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 Shihab surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shihab in America

Shihab is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shihab surname appeared 142 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 Shihab.

The history of the last name Shihab

The surname Shihab is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the 7th century, when Islam was spreading across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. The name is derived from the Arabic word "shihab," which means "meteor" or "shooting star." It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals who were known for their bravery and courage in battle, likening them to a fiery meteor streaking across the sky.

In the early days of Islam, the Shihab name was particularly prominent in the region of modern-day Syria and Lebanon. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the writings of the renowned Islamic scholar and historian, Al-Tabari, who mentioned a prominent figure named Shihab al-Din al-Tusi in his chronicles from the 9th century.

During the 12th century, the Shihab family rose to prominence in the city of Aleppo, Syria, where they held significant political and military power. One of the most notable figures from this era was Shihab al-Din Mahmud ibn Qalawun, who served as the governor of Aleppo from 1279 to 1285. He was known for his strong leadership and played a crucial role in defending the city against Mongol invasions.

In the 14th century, a branch of the Shihab family settled in the region of Mount Lebanon, where they established themselves as influential feudal lords. The Shihab emirs, or princes, ruled over parts of Mount Lebanon for several centuries, and their name became closely associated with the area. One of the most renowned figures from this period was Emir Bashir Shihab II, who ruled from 1697 to 1707 and is credited with uniting the various factions in Mount Lebanon under his leadership.

Another notable figure with the Shihab surname was the 17th-century poet and scholar, Shihab al-Din al-Khafaji, who was born in Cairo in 1571. Al-Khafaji was renowned for his contributions to Arabic literature and his mastery of various academic disciplines, including grammar, rhetoric, and jurisprudence.

In the 19th century, the Shihab name gained further prominence with the birth of Amin Shihab, a Lebanese writer and journalist who was born in 1892. Shihab played a significant role in the Arab literary renaissance and was a vocal advocate for Lebanese independence from Ottoman rule.

Throughout history, the surname Shihab has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, poets, rulers, and military leaders. While its origins can be traced back to the early days of Islam, the name has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be carried by individuals of Arab descent around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shihab

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

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

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

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