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

Yafai, 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 Yafai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yafai in America

Yafai is the 57781st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yafai surname appeared 352 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 Yafai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yafai 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 Yafai

The surname Yafai has its origins in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly from Yemen. It dates back to ancient times and is primarily associated with the Yafa'a region in Yemen, derived from native tribal affiliations. The term Yafa'a is believed to stem from the Arabic root "y-f-ʕ," which implies elevation or loftiness, possibly referring to the highlands of the Yafa'a district.

Historical references to the Yafai name appear in various manuscripts and tribal records from Yemen. One of the oldest documented references is found in 12th-century texts, where the Yafai tribe is mentioned as a significant and influential group in the highlands of Yemen. These texts often highlight the tribe’s role in regional politics and trade.

Among the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Yafai was Sheikh Saleh Yafai, a prominent figure in the 15th century who played a key role in mediating tribal disputes in southern Yemen. His reputation as a just and wise leader has carried through the centuries, cementing the Yafai name in Yemeni cultural history.

In the 19th century, Ahmed bin Abdullah Yafai was a noted scholar and poet whose works further elevated the cultural standing of the Yafai name. Born in 1823 and passing in 1897, his writings on Yemeni history and tribal genealogies remain a valuable resource for understanding the social fabric of the period.

The Yafai surname saw further prominence with the advent of the 20th century, through figures like General Saeed Ali Yafai, who was instrumental in the modern military restructuring of Yemen in the 1960s. His contributions were crucial during the transformation period leading towards the formation of the Yemen Arab Republic.

Another notable bearer of the surname is Nabil Yafai, born in 1972, who became an influential diplomat representing Yemen in various international forums, advocating for peace and development in the later part of the 20th century. His efforts have continued the legacy of the Yafai name in contemporary history.

The surname Yafai is also associated with people in the diaspora who have maintained their cultural ties while achieving prominence abroad. Omar Yafai, born in 1985, is a modern example; as a business mogul in the Middle East, his ventures span various industries, significantly impacting the economic landscape of the region. His work exemplifies the adaptive and resilient nature of the Yafai lineage.

Throughout history, the Yafai surname has come to symbolize leadership, scholarship, and resilience, with roots deeply intertwined with the rich cultural heritage of Yemen. The evolution of the name reflects not only the history of a family but also the broader historical narratives of migration, influence, and change in the Arabian Peninsula.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yafai

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

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

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

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