Explore the Family Name Alavi
The meaning of Alavi
Muslim (mainly Iran, also Pakistan, Afghanistan): surname denoting descent from or association with Ali, the first imam of the Shiite Muslims. It is a Persian variant of Arabic Alawi. Some characteristic forenames: Arabic/Muslim Hossein, Ali, Farid, Seyed, Syed, Abass, Hamid, Hossain, Saied, Shahab, Shirin, Zafar.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Alavi in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Alavi has significantly increased between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked as the 37,835th most common surname in the U.S, but by 2010, it had risen to the 30,277th spot, marking a change of nearly 20%. The number of people with this surname also expanded by more than 40% during this period, increasing from 552 individuals in 2000 to 773 in 2010. Furthermore, the proportion of people named Alavi per 100,000 residents grew by 30%, from 0.2 in 2000 to 0.26 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #37,835 | #30,277 | 19.98% |
| Count | 552 | 773 | 40.04% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.2 | 0.26 | 30% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Alavi
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Alavi also experienced some shifts between 2000 and 2010, as indicated by the Decennial U.S. Census data. A majority of individuals with this surname identify as White, although the percentage fell slightly from 71.38% in 2000 to 68.05% in 2010. The second most common ethnic identity is Asian/Pacific Islander, which saw an increase from 13.77% to 15.65% over the decade. Those identifying as two or more races slightly rose from 13.04% to 13.32%. The most notable change, however, occurred among those identifying as Hispanic, which jumped from 0.91% to 2.20%, reflecting a substantial growth rate of 141.76%. Meanwhile, there were no individuals who identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 71.38% | 68.05% | -4.67% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 13.77% | 15.65% | 13.65% |
| Two or More Races | 13.04% | 13.32% | 2.15% |
| Hispanic | 0.91% | 2.2% | 141.76% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |