Sohail
A surname indicating an astrological connection or reference to the brightest star in the constellation Gemini.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,063 Americans carry the last name Sohail. That puts it at #26,492 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.31 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 322,441 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sohail 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
1.1K
1 in 322,441
Census rank
#26,492
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
921
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 921 bearers of the surname Sohail in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 26492nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Sohail, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 92.6%. The next largest groups are White (3.4%) and Two or More Races (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Sohail
The surname "SOHAIL" has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the word "Sahil" which means "flat land" or "coastal region". The name is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in regions where Arabic was the predominant language, such as the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, and parts of North Africa.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname "SOHAIL" can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the Islamic Golden Age. This period saw a significant expansion of Arabic culture and influence across vast swaths of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia. It is likely that the name was adopted by individuals who lived or settled in coastal areas or regions with flat terrain.
One of the earliest references to the name "SOHAIL" can be found in the "Kitab al-Aghani" (The Book of Songs), a renowned anthology of Arabic poems and biographies compiled in the early 9th century AD. The book mentions a poet named Sohail ibn Abi Sohail, who lived during the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 AD).
Another notable individual bearing the surname "SOHAIL" was Abu al-Sohail al-Nahwi, a renowned Arabic grammarian and philologist who lived in the 9th century AD. His works on Arabic grammar and linguistics were highly influential in the development of the Arabic language.
In the 11th century, the name appears in the historical chronicles of the Seljuk Empire, where it is mentioned that a commander named Sohail ibn Malik led a contingent of troops during the Seljuk conquest of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).
During the medieval period, the surname "SOHAIL" was also found in various regions of the Iberian Peninsula, where Arabic culture and language had a significant influence due to the Moorish rule in parts of Spain and Portugal. One notable figure from this era was Sohail ibn Abi al-Rabi, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in the 12th century in the city of Seville (Ishbiliyah).
In more recent times, the surname "SOHAIL" has been associated with several influential individuals, including the Pakistani cricketer Sohail Abbas (born 1975), who represented the national team in numerous international tournaments, and Sohail Khan (born 1980), a Pakistani actor and producer known for his work in Bollywood and Lollywood films.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Sohail
Among Census respondents with the surname Sohail, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 92.6%. The next largest groups are White (3.4%) and Two or More Races (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Sohail 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 Sohail surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander92.6%
- White3.4%
- Two or more races2.8%
- Hispanic or Latino0.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Sohail 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 | #26,492 | #26,492 | 0.0% |
| Count | 921 | 921 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Sohail bearers went from 921 to 921 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #26,492 to #26,492.
FAQ
Sohail surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Sohail?
The surname Sohail holds position #26,492 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,063 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Sohail surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Sohail, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 92.6%. The next largest groups are White (3.4%) and Two or More Races (2.8%). 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.