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

Vike, 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 Vike surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vike in America

Vike is the 110825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vike surname appeared 159 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 Vike.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vike 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 Vike

The surname VIKE is of Norwegian origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "vik," which translates to "inlet" or "bay." This suggests that the name likely referred to individuals who resided near inlets or coastal areas in Norway.

In the early 13th century, the name VIKE can be found in the ancient Norwegian legal text known as the "Gulating Law," which governed the western regions of Norway. This document mentions a person named "Vikr Erlingsson," indicating the presence of the name during that time period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname VIKE can be traced back to the late 14th century, when a man named Thorvald VIKE was mentioned in the Icelandic Annals of 1395. This historical record provides evidence of the name's usage in the Nordic region during the Middle Ages.

The name VIKE is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. In the 16th century, a Norwegian sailor named Halvor VIKE (c. 1530-1590) gained recognition for his exploration voyages and seafaring endeavors. Additionally, a prominent Norwegian painter named Johan Christian Clausen VIKE (1856-1932) achieved fame for his landscape and maritime artworks.

Another individual of note was the Norwegian writer and poet, Nils Vike Salvesen (1862-1938), who published works on various subjects, including Norwegian culture and history. His literary contributions helped preserve and promote the country's literary heritage.

In the early 20th century, a Norwegian engineer named Olav VIKE (1887-1964) made significant contributions to the field of hydroelectric power generation. His innovative designs and engineering projects played a crucial role in the development of Norway's hydropower infrastructure.

Throughout its history, the surname VIKE has maintained a strong presence in Norway and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including sailors, artists, writers, and engineers. While the name may have evolved slightly in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the Old Norse word "vik," reflecting the coastal heritage of those who bore this surname in the past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vike

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

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

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

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