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

Soufi, 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 Soufi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Soufi in America

Soufi is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Soufi surname appeared 132 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 Soufi.

The history of the last name Soufi

The surname "SOUFI" is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the regions that are now known as Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia. The name is derived from the Arabic word "sufi," which refers to a Muslim mystic or ascetic who follows the path of spiritual enlightenment known as Sufism.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "SOUFI" can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when Sufism was flourishing in various parts of the Islamic world. During this time, many individuals who embraced the Sufi way of life adopted the surname "SOUFI" as a way to identify themselves and their spiritual affiliations.

One of the earliest known references to the name "SOUFI" can be found in historical accounts and manuscripts from the Persian Empire, where Sufism had a strong presence. These records often mention influential Sufi mystics and scholars who bore the name "SOUFI," indicating their association with the Sufi tradition.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273), a renowned Persian poet and Sufi mystic, was born to a family with the surname "SOUFI." Rumi's works, such as the Masnavi and the Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, have had a profound impact on Sufism and Persian literature, and his legacy continues to be celebrated worldwide.

Another notable individual with the surname "SOUFI" was Saadi Shirazi (1210-1292), a Persian poet, philosopher, and Sufi master who lived during the same period as Rumi. Saadi's works, including the Gulistan and Bustan, are considered literary masterpieces and have been widely studied and translated.

In the 15th century, a Sufi scholar and mystic named Abdur Rahman Jami (1414-1492) from present-day Afghanistan was also known by the surname "SOUFI." Jami was a prominent figure in the Naqshbandi Sufi order and made significant contributions to Persian literature and Sufism.

During the 16th century, a renowned Sufi saint and poet from India, Malik Muhammad Jayasi (1477-1542), was also associated with the surname "SOUFI." Jayasi's epic poem, Padmavat, is considered a masterpiece of Awadhi literature and has been widely studied and adapted.

While the surname "SOUFI" has its roots in the Middle East and Central Asia, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its historical significance and connection to the Sufi tradition remain deeply rooted in its origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Soufi

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

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

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

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