Explore the Family Name Shahani

The meaning of Shahani

Muslim (Indian subcontinent and Iran): surname denoting descent from or association with someone called Shahan. Alternatively, from a personal name based on the Persian word shāhānī ‘royal, imperial’.

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

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

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Shahani saw an increase in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked as the 75,695th most common surname, but by 2010 it had risen to the 65,066th spot, which represents a 14.04% change. Furthermore, the count of individuals with this surname grew by 28.69% during the same period, increasing from 237 to 305. The proportion of people named Shahani per 100,000 also experienced an increase, from 0.09 to 0.1, marking an 11.11% change.

20002010Change
Rank#75,695#65,06614.04%
Count23730528.69%
Proportion per 100k0.090.111.11%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Shahani

In terms of ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates that the majority of individuals with the surname Shahani identify as Asian/Pacific Islander. This group increased from making up 79.32% of all Shahanis in 2000 to 81.97% in 2010, showing a 3.34% change. The proportion of Shahanis identifying with two or more races decreased by 32.37%, from 9.70% to 6.56%. Meanwhile, the percentage of those identifying as White rose by 16.59%, from 9.28% to 10.82%. For the categories Hispanic, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native, no Shahanis were identified in either 2000 or 2010.

20002010Change
Asian/Pacific Islander79.32%81.97%3.34%
White9.28%10.82%16.59%
Two or More Races9.7%6.56%-32.37%
Hispanic0%0%0%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%