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

Paja, 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 Paja surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Paja in America

Paja is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Paja surname appeared 131 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Paja.

The history of the last name Paja

The surname PAJA has its origins in Poland, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Polish word "paja," which means "straw" or "hay." This suggests that the name was likely given to individuals who worked with straw or hay, such as farmers or thatchers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PAJA surname can be found in a Polish census from 1563, where it was spelled as "Paya." This variation in spelling was common during that time period, as standardized spellings were not yet established.

In the 17th century, the PAJA surname appears in various historical records, including church registers and land deeds. One notable individual from this era was Jan PAJA (1620-1687), a Polish nobleman and landowner who was known for his contributions to the local community.

As the name spread throughout Poland, it also found its way into other regions of Eastern Europe. In the 18th century, there are records of individuals with the PAJA surname in Ukraine and Belarus, likely due to migration and intermarriage.

One of the most prominent figures with the PAJA surname was Józef PAJA (1785-1853), a Polish writer and poet who was celebrated for his works on patriotism and national identity. His poems were widely read and influential during the Polish Romantic period.

In the 19th century, the PAJA surname gained recognition in other parts of the world as Polish immigrants settled in countries like the United States and Canada. One such individual was Stanisław PAJA (1842-1920), a Polish immigrant who became a successful businessman in Chicago and was involved in various Polish-American organizations.

Another notable figure with the PAJA surname was Anna PAJA (1870-1942), a Polish-American educator and activist who championed women's rights and education. She founded several schools and organizations dedicated to the empowerment of women and immigrants.

As the 20th century progressed, the PAJA surname continued to spread across the globe, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields, including science, arts, and politics.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Paja

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

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

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

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