Find out how popular the last name Belenkaya is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Belenkaya.

Belenkaya, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Belenkaya surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Belenkaya in America

Belenkaya is the 121058th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Belenkaya surname appeared 132 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Belenkaya.

The history of the last name Belenkaya

The surname Belenkaya has its origins in Russia and belongs to the category of Slavic surnames. It emerged during the expansion of surnames in Eastern Europe, which began around the 16th and 17th centuries. Primarily found in Russia, it has connections to the word "белый" (bely), which means "white" in Russian. From this root word, the term "беленький" (belenky) appears, which carries the diminutive form of white, indicating something small or insignificant yet still white. The suffix "-ая" is a common feminine form in Russian surnames, indicating that Belenkaya was often used to denote female bearers of the name.

Historical records indicate that the name can be traced back to the rural communities of Russia, where it was often used to describe people with fair or pale complexions. Some early mentions of similar names appear in Russian census lists or 'ревизские сказки' (revision lists from the Tsarist period) of the 18th century. These documents kept meticulous records for tax and administrative purposes, offering a glimpse into the socio-economic fabric of the time.

In terms of historical references, one of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Belenkaya appears in a 1782 census document, noting a Natalia Belenkaya, a prominent landowner in the Yaroslavl gubernia. Another significant reference is found in the literary archives of the 19th century, mentioning Anna Belenkaya, born in 1820, who was noted for her correspondence with key figures in the Russian intelligentsia, including the famed poet Alexander Pushkin.

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Belenkaya have made notable contributions. For instance, Ivan Belenky, who lived in the latter half of the 19th century, was an influential merchant known for his philanthropic efforts in Moscow. Elizaveta Belenkaya, born in 1894, was a distinguished historian specializing in Russian medieval chronicles, significantly impacting the academic community with her extensive research.

Another notable individual is Nina Belenkaya, a mathematician born in 1928, whose work in abstract algebra gained her international recognition. Lastly, the 20th century saw the rise of Viktor Belenky, a talented chess player born in 1961, representing the Soviet Union in various international competitions and contributing to the game's strategies.

The surname Belenkaya carries a deep historical context, rooted in the rich culture and traditions of Russia. It serves as a testament to the country's evolving societal norms and the considerable achievements of those who bore it. The female aspect of its formation also highlights the nuanced patterns within Slavic onomatology.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Belenkaya

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Belenkaya.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Belenkaya was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Belenkaya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Belenkaya, please contact us.

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