NameCensus.

UK surname

Amani

A surname of Bantu origin meaning peace, safety, or security.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coventry, Hillingdon and Broxbourne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Amani is 142 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

142

2016, ranked #24,625

Peak year

2016

142 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016, ranked #24,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Amani surname distribution map

The map shows where the Amani surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Amani surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Amani over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1997 modern 19 #35,928
1998 modern 15 #36,457
1999 modern 26 #35,320
2000 modern 26 #35,295
2001 modern 26 #35,152
2002 modern 29 #35,030
2003 modern 41 #34,113
2004 modern 55 #33,154
2005 modern 63 #32,602
2006 modern 61 #33,142
2007 modern 66 #32,948
2008 modern 73 #32,555
2009 modern 83 #31,950
2010 modern 98 #30,540
2011 modern 104 #29,424
2012 modern 133 #25,187
2013 modern 120 #27,406
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 134 #25,607
2016 modern 142 #24,625

Geography

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Where Amanis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Coventry, Hillingdon and Broxbourne. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Coventry 009 Coventry
2 Hillingdon 026 Hillingdon
3 Coventry 039 Coventry
4 Coventry 031 Coventry
5 Broxbourne 011 Broxbourne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Amani

These lists show first names that appear often with the Amani surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Amani

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Amani, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Amani surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Amani household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Amani is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Amani is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Amani falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Amani is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Amani, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Amani

The surname Amani has its origins in East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania, where it traces its roots back several centuries. It is derived from the Bantu word "amani," which means "peace" or "tranquility." The name was likely adopted as a surname by individuals or families who valued these qualities or lived in peaceful regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Amani can be found in historical documents from the Swahili Coast, where it was used to refer to individuals from the coastal regions of present-day Kenya and Tanzania. These records date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Swahili Coast was a thriving hub of trade and cultural exchange.

During the 19th century, the name Amani gained prominence in the region due to the efforts of a notable Kenyan leader and political activist named Mekatilili Amani (1856-1924). She played a significant role in the resistance against British colonial rule and is revered as a symbol of courage and defiance.

In Tanzania, the name Amani is closely associated with the town of Amani, located in the Tanga Region. This town was established in the late 19th century during the German colonial era and was known for its botanical gardens and research facilities. The name "Amani" was chosen to reflect the peaceful and serene environment of the area.

Another notable figure with the surname Amani is the Tanzanian politician and diplomat Salim Ahmed Salim (1942-), who served as the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) from 1989 to 2001. He played a crucial role in promoting peace, security, and development on the African continent.

In Kenya, the surname Amani is also associated with the Amani People's Theatre, a renowned cultural organization founded in the 1970s that promotes social and political awareness through theatrical performances.

While the name Amani has its roots in East Africa, it has spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its strongest historical connections remain in the coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania, where it has been a part of the cultural fabric for centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Amani surname: questions and answers

How common is the Amani surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016. That gives Amani a modern rank of #24,625.

What does the Amani surname mean?

A surname of Bantu origin meaning peace, safety, or security.

What does the Amani map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Amani bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.