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

Suleiman, 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 Suleiman surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Suleiman in America

Suleiman is the 14965th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Suleiman surname appeared 1,976 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Suleiman.

We can also compare 2010 data for Suleiman to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Suleiman

The surname Suleiman is of Arabic origin, derived from the male given name Sulaiman, an Arabic form of the Hebrew name Solomon. This name is believed to have first appeared in the region of the Middle East around the 7th century AD, during the rise of Islam.

The name Suleiman is rooted in the Arabic word "salama," which means "peace" or "safety." It is a name that carries a significant historical and cultural significance in the Islamic world, as it is associated with the iconic figure of Prophet Solomon, revered in both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Suleiman can be found in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, where Prophet Solomon is mentioned numerous times. He is celebrated for his wisdom, wealth, and mastery over the natural world, including the ability to communicate with animals and control the winds.

Throughout history, the name Suleiman has been borne by several notable individuals, including Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1494-1566), the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. His reign was marked by significant territorial expansion, cultural achievements, and architectural marvels, such as the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.

Another prominent figure with the surname Suleiman was Ali ibn Abi Talib (601-661), the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, who became the fourth caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate. He is revered as one of the most influential figures in early Islamic history and is considered a spiritual and political leader by Shia Muslims.

In the 13th century, the name Suleiman appeared in the travel writings of Marco Polo, the famous Venetian merchant and explorer. He referred to a powerful Muslim ruler in the region of modern-day Iran as "Suldana Saleiman," highlighting the widespread use of the name among the ruling classes of the time.

Another notable bearer of the surname Suleiman was Taufiq al-Suleiman (1930-2009), a renowned Syrian poet and writer. His works explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, earning him recognition as one of the most influential literary figures in the Arab world.

While the surname Suleiman has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread across the globe, carried by individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultures. However, its enduring connection to the Islamic faith and the legendary figure of Prophet Solomon remains a testament to its rich historical and cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Suleiman

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

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 Suleiman 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Suleiman has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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