Explore the Family Name Sanusi
The meaning of Sanusi
West African (Nigeria): from the Yoruba personal name Sànúsí, of Muslim origin, deriving from the name borne by the North African Sufist religious leader Sīdī Muḥammad ibn ‘Alī al-Sanūsī (1787–1859).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Sanusi in the United States?
The surname Sanusi has grown in popularity over the past decade, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, it was ranked 83,301 in popularity, with 210 individuals bearing the name. By 2010, its rank had risen to 60,196, with the number of people named Sanusi increasing by nearly 60% to 335. The proportion of people named Sanusi per 100,000 also increased by 37.5%, from 0.08 in 2000 to 0.11 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #83,301 | #60,196 | 27.74% |
| Count | 210 | 335 | 59.52% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.08 | 0.11 | 37.5% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Sanusi
In terms of ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows a shift for those bearing the name Sanusi between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, 68.10% identified as Black, but this percentage increased to 81.19% in 2010. The Asian/Pacific Islander group reduced by over 42%, from 19.05% in 2000 to 11.04% in 2010. There was a decrease in the proportion identifying as White and Hispanic, with declines of 21.54% and 24.79%, respectively. No Sanusis identified as having Two or more races or as American Indian and Alaskan Native in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 68.1% | 81.19% | 19.22% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 19.05% | 11.04% | -42.05% |
| White | 5.71% | 4.48% | -21.54% |
| Hispanic | 2.38% | 1.79% | -24.79% |
| Two or More Races | 4.76% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |