Explore the Family Name Askari
The meaning of Askari
Muslim (mainly Iran and Pakistan): 1. from al-ʿAskarī, the title of Hasan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad (c.846–74), the eleventh imam of the Shiites, derived from ʿaskar ‘army’, an Arabic word of Persian origin (see Askar), itself borrowed into Persian. The imam got his title because he was kept under house arrest in Samarra (in present-day Iraq), then a garrison town. 2. surname denoting descent from or association with someone called Askar. Compare Asgari. 3. possibly also an occupational name from Arabic ʿaskarī ‘soldier’ (from ʿaskar ‘army’; see Askar).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Askari in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname 'Askari' has seen a substantial increase from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 48,776 in terms of prevalence, but by 2010 it had risen to 40,432, marking a 17.11% change. The count of individuals with this surname also increased from 406 to 541 during these years, showing a 33.25% rise. The proportion per 100,000 people similarly climbed by 20.0%, which indicates that Askari is becoming more common across the country.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #48,776 | #40,432 | 17.11% |
| Count | 406 | 541 | 33.25% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.15 | 0.18 | 20% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Askari
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Askari also shifted between 2000 and 2010, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, most individuals with this surname identified as White (62.07%), followed by Asian/Pacific Islander (20.94%) and Black (5.17%). However, by 2010 there was a significant drop in those identifying as Black, falling to 0%. On the other hand, those who identified as two or more races saw a dramatic increase, rising from 8.13% to 12.75%, a change of 56.83%. The proportion of Hispanic Askaris slightly increased from 3.69% to 3.88%. At the same time, the percentage of White and Asian/Pacific Islander Askaris decreased slightly to 59.89% and 19.41% respectively. No Askari identified as American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 62.07% | 59.89% | -3.51% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 20.94% | 19.41% | -7.31% |
| Two or More Races | 8.13% | 12.75% | 56.83% |
| Hispanic | 3.69% | 3.88% | 5.15% |
| Black | 5.17% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |