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

Zaba, 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 Zaba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaba in America

Zaba is the 100302nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaba surname appeared 180 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 Zaba.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaba 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 Zaba

The surname Zaba is believed to have originated in Slavic-speaking regions, particularly in Poland. It can trace its roots back to the medieval period, suggesting a rich history steeped in both regional and linguistic significance. Etymologically, the name Zaba is derived from the Polish word "żaba," which translates to "frog" in English. This naming could have been indicative of a person living near a water body teeming with frogs or perhaps someone with a distinctive voice reminiscent of a frog's croak.

In historical records, the surname Zaba appears sporadically but carries with it stories of the times. One of the earliest mentions of the name in Polish historical manuscripts dates back to the 13th century. Documents from this era indicate that individuals carrying the Zaba surname were often peasants or villagers, providing a snapshot of their societal role and lifestyle.

In the years following the initial appearance of the surname, Zaba can be found in various ecclesiastical and legal documents. For example, a 15th-century church record from Krakow mentions a Jan Zaba, who contributed to the local parish, indicating a certain level of community involvement and possibly early landownership.

Diving deeper into the 16th century, another notable figure is Wojciech Zaba. Born in 1532 and passing in 1591, Wojciech was known for his involvement in local governance in the town of Wadowice. His name appears in municipal archives concerning town meetings and local disputes, establishing him as a figure of local importance.

By the 17th century, the Zaba name had spread further afield. An example is Katarzyna Zaba, born in 1623, whose marriage records in Warsaw highlight the migratory patterns of families bearing the surname and their integration into urban environments. Her marriage into the Drozdowski family, a notable merchant lineage, marked a social ascent and provided a glimpse into the evolving status of the Zaba name.

Historical literature also points to Andrzej Zaba, a soldier in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth army born in 1687. His military records from various campaigns reflect the martial presence and contributions of individuals with this surname during tumultuous periods in Polish history.

In the late 18th century, we find the Zaba name in literature and arts, with Karol Zaba, born in 1765, who was a celebrated poet and dramatist. His works, though not widely known today, left imprints on local cultural landscapes and reflected the intellectual pursuits of those bearing the Zaba surname during the Enlightenment period.

These documented instances of the Zaba surname across centuries underscore its dynamic presence in historical records. From rural origins to participations in governance, military, and arts, the Zaba name carries with it a legacy that has woven itself into the historical and cultural fabric of Poland.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaba

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

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

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

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