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

Kalina, 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 Kalina surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kalina in America

Kalina is the 14893rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kalina surname appeared 1,987 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Kalina.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kalina to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kalina

The surname Kalina is of Slavic origin, specifically from Poland and surrounding regions of Eastern Europe. It is believed to have derived from the Slavic word "kalina," which refers to the guelder-rose plant, also known as the viburnum opulus. This evergreen shrub is native to Europe and parts of Asia, and its bright red berries have long been associated with Slavic folklore and traditions.

The earliest recorded instances of the Kalina surname can be traced back to the 15th century in various regions of Poland. It is likely that the name was initially used as a descriptive name or a nickname for individuals who lived near or had some association with the guelder-rose plant. Over time, these descriptive names became hereditary surnames passed down through generations.

One of the earliest documented references to the Kalina surname can be found in the Metryka Koronna, a collection of Polish royal and state documents dating back to the late 14th century. In these records, there are mentions of individuals with the surname Kalina serving in various capacities, from landowners to clerks and administrators.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Kalina surname gained prominence in several noble families in Poland. Notable individuals from this period include Jan Kalina (1545-1618), a Polish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Polish-Swedish Wars, and Andrzej Kalina (1615-1679), a Polish poet and writer known for his religious works and translations.

In the 18th century, the Kalina surname spread beyond Poland to other parts of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Belarus. One notable figure from this era was Hryhoriy Kalina (1723-1796), a Ukrainian nobleman and philanthropist known for his support of education and cultural institutions.

As the Kalina surname moved into the 19th and 20th centuries, it continued to be represented in various fields, including the arts, sciences, and politics. Ivan Kalina (1825-1891) was a Ukrainian painter and sculptor, while Maksym Kalina (1884-1942) was a Ukrainian politician and activist who played a significant role in the struggle for Ukrainian independence.

Throughout its history, the Kalina surname has maintained a strong connection to its Slavic roots and the symbolic significance of the guelder-rose plant. While its exact origins may be difficult to pinpoint, the name has endured as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Eastern Europe and the importance of nature in shaping the linguistic traditions of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kalina

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kalina 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kalina has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Kalina was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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