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

Paek, 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 Paek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Paek in America

Paek is the 15183rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Paek surname appeared 1,940 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 Paek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Paek 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 Paek

The surname PAEK is of Korean origin, with its roots tracing back to the ancient kingdoms of the Korean Peninsula. The name is thought to have originated during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), which ruled over the Korean kingdoms of that era.

One of the earliest known references to the PAEK surname can be found in the "Goryeosa" (History of Goryeo), a historical record compiled during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). This text mentions several individuals bearing the PAEK surname, suggesting its widespread use among the gentry and noble classes of the time.

The PAEK surname is believed to be derived from the Korean word "baek," which means "white" or "pure." This could potentially indicate a connection to the notion of purity or nobility associated with the family line. However, the exact origin and meaning behind the name remain subject to scholarly debate.

During the Joseon Dynasty, the PAEK surname gained prominence, with several notable figures emerging from this lineage. One such individual was PAEK Yonggyu (1471-1554), a renowned Confucian scholar and statesman who served as a royal tutor and advisor to King Jungjong.

Another noteworthy figure from this era was PAEK Hu (1530-1601), a military commander and strategist who played a crucial role in defending Korea against Japanese invasions in the late 16th century. His bravery and leadership during the Imjin War (1592-1598) earned him a place in Korean history.

Moving forward in time, the PAEK surname continued to be associated with various cultural and intellectual pursuits. PAEK Nakseo (1677-1766) was a celebrated poet and calligrapher whose works are still studied and appreciated today.

In more recent times, PAEK Duseung (1921-2005) was a renowned writer and literary critic who made significant contributions to Korean literature during the 20th century. His works explored themes of national identity, social justice, and the human condition.

It is worth noting that the PAEK surname has also been romanized in various ways throughout history, such as Baek, Bek, and Peck, reflecting the challenges of transliterating Korean names into the Latin alphabet.

While the PAEK surname may not be as widespread as some other Korean family names, it has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the cultural and historical fabric of the Korean nation, spanning centuries and encompassing diverse fields of endeavor.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Paek

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

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

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

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