Explore the Family Name Irani

The meaning of Irani

Iranian, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi: ethnic name for an Iranian or for a member of a Zoroastrian community in India, from Persian irānī ‘of or relating to Iran’. In India, this surname is most common in Gujarat and Mumbai. Some characteristic forenames: Arabic/Muslim Farokh, Majid, Ali, Asgar, Jehangir, Rafic, Rohinton, Shirin, Adil, Ahmad, Alireza, Arash, Atallah. Indian Behram, Freny, Keki, Maneck, Manek, Moti, Zubin. Parsi Mehernosh, Tehmina.

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

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

The popularity of the surname Irani has seen a moderate increase between 2000 and 2010, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, Irani ranked as the 29,069th most common surname in the US, but by 2010 it had moved up to the 26,110th spot, marking a change of 10.18 percent. The count of individuals with this last name also rose during this period, from 768 to 938, an increase of 22.14 percent. The proportion per 100,000 people also increased from 0.28 to 0.32, indicating a 14.29 percent growth.

20002010Change
Rank#29,069#26,11010.18%
Count76893822.14%
Proportion per 100k0.280.3214.29%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Irani

In terms of ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census figures show shifts among those bearing the surname Irani. The greatest percentage identifies as Asian/Pacific Islander, which increased from 45.18 percent in 2000 to 49.79 percent in 2010. Those indicating they are of two or more ethnic identities decreased by 37.77 percent over the same period, from 9.77 percent to 6.08 percent. The proportion identifying as White dropped slightly from 42.84 percent to 41.58 percent. The Hispanic representation saw a small increase, from 1.43 percent to 1.49 percent. There were no individuals identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.

20002010Change
Asian/Pacific Islander45.18%49.79%10.2%
White42.84%41.58%-2.94%
Two or More Races9.77%6.08%-37.77%
Hispanic1.43%1.49%4.2%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%