Explore the Family Name Hafiz

The meaning of Hafiz

Muslim: from a personal name based on Arabic ḥāfiz ‘guardian’. This is also an honorific title given to someone who has memorized the whole of the Koran. Al Ḥāfiz ‘the Guardian’ is an attribute of Allah. Compare Hafeez and Hafez.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Hafiz in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Hafiz has seen a significant rise in popularity. In 2000, it was ranked 49,869 and by 2010, it had risen to rank 38,214, marking an increase of 23.37%. The count also substantially increased from 395 in 2000 to 580 in 2010, illustrating a 46.84% growth rate. Additionally, the proportion per 100,000 people grew by 33.33%, moving from 0.15 in 2000 to 0.2 in 2010.

20002010Change
Rank#49,869#38,21423.37%
Count39558046.84%
Proportion per 100k0.150.233.33%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Hafiz

The ethnic identity associated with the surname Hafiz also witnessed shifts between 2000 and 2010 as indicated by the Decennial U.S. Census data. A sizable increase was observed within the Asian/Pacific Islander group, which rose by 33.20% from 45.82% to 61.03%. On the contrary, those identifying with two or more races saw a decrease of -61.34%, dropping from 20.51% to 7.93%. The proportion of White individuals decreased slightly by 6.43%, and Black individuals also saw a decline of 23.19%. Interestingly, the Hispanic representation evolved from zero in 2000 to 2.24% in 2010, while no change was observed in the American Indian and Alaskan Native category.

20002010Change
Asian/Pacific Islander45.82%61.03%33.2%
White21.01%19.66%-6.43%
Black11.9%9.14%-23.19%
Two or More Races20.51%7.93%-61.34%
Hispanic0%2.24%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%