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

Souki, 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 Souki surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Souki in America

Souki is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Souki surname appeared 100 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 Souki.

The history of the last name Souki

The surname "SOUKI" is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the region of modern-day Iran and Iraq, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Persian word "soukhi," which translates to "burning" or "fiery." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone with a fiery temperament or perhaps a person associated with a profession involving fire, such as a blacksmith or a glassblower.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "SOUKI" can be found in a 12th-century Persian manuscript, where it is mentioned as the surname of a prominent merchant who traded in spices and silks along the Silk Road. This merchant, Jafar Souki, is said to have established a successful trading outpost in the city of Baghdad, which at the time was a major hub for commerce and cultural exchange.

In the 14th century, the name "SOUKI" appeared in several Ottoman Turkish records, indicating that some individuals bearing this surname may have migrated from Persia to the Ottoman Empire during that time period. One notable figure was Ibrahim Souki, a skilled architect who is credited with designing several mosques and palaces in the city of Istanbul during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II.

As trade and migration patterns evolved, the surname "SOUKI" spread to other regions of the Middle East and beyond. In the 16th century, a man named Mahmoud Souki was recorded as a prominent scholar and philosopher in Cairo, Egypt, where he taught at the renowned Al-Azhar University.

During the 18th century, a wealthy merchant named Khalil Souki established himself in the city of Aleppo, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Syria). His extensive trade network stretched from the Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf, and he was known for his involvement in the lucrative silk and spice trades.

In more recent history, one notable figure with the surname "SOUKI" was Fatima Souki, a pioneering feminist and activist who fought for women's rights and education in Lebanon during the early 20th century. Born in 1887, she was instrumental in establishing several girls' schools and advocating for legal reforms that would improve the status of women in Lebanese society.

While the surname "SOUKI" has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins can be traced back to the ancient Persian word "soukhi," reflecting a connection to fire, passion, and perhaps even the vibrant trade routes that once crisscrossed the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Souki

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

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

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

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