Explore the Family Name Elmi
The meaning of Elmi
Somali: from the personal name Elmi, meaning ‘(religious) knowledge’. — Note: Since Somalis traditionally do not have hereditary surnames, this name was in most cases registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Elmi in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Elmi has significantly increased from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, Elmi was the 38,395th most popular surname with a count of 542 individuals. By 2010, however, it had climbed in rank to the 20,565th most common surname, nearly doubling its count to 1,289 individuals. This represents an impressive growth rate of 137.82%. The proportion of people named Elmi also increased per 100,000 people, from 0.2 in 2000 to 0.44 in 2010, marking a surge of 120%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #38,395 | #20,565 | 46.44% |
| Count | 542 | 1,289 | 137.82% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.2 | 0.44 | 120% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Elmi
Regarding ethnicity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows a shift in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Elmi between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the majority of people with this surname identified as Black (54.80%), followed by White (25.09%) and those of Two or more races (15.50%). However, by 2010, the percentage of people identifying as Black had swelled to 81.54%, while the numbers for White and those of Two or more races had declined to 12.96% and 3.1% respectively. Notably, the data for Asian/Pacific Islander was suppressed for privacy reasons in 2010, and there were no recorded instances of individuals identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 54.8% | 81.54% | 48.8% |
| White | 25.09% | 12.96% | -48.35% |
| Two or More Races | 15.5% | 3.1% | -80% |
| Hispanic | 1.29% | 1.16% | -10.08% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 3.32% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |