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

Zaharias, 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 Zaharias surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaharias in America

Zaharias is the 72105th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaharias surname appeared 270 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 Zaharias.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaharias 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 Zaharias

The surname Zaharias has its origins rooted in the Greek-speaking regions, tracing back to Byzantine times. Its etymology is derived from the Greek word "Ζαχαρίας," which means "God has remembered.” This surname has strong historical and religious connotations, often associated with religious figures and early Christian history. The Greek root "Ζαχαρίας" itself comes from the Hebrew name "Zechariah," which holds the same meaning.

The surname Zaharias has been recorded in various forms over the centuries, reflecting the regions and periods through which it traveled. One of the earliest appearances of a similar name in historical records can be found in Byzantine texts and early church documents. Variations like Zacharias were more common in ecclesiastical records, often denoting priests, monks, and other religious figures. The surname naturally made its way to various documents and manuscripts preserved in monasteries and libraries, indicating its early use among learned and religious communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zaharias is found in the archives of Mount Athos, a historic monastic community in Greece, from the 11th century. These records often listed the names of monks and notable visitors, providing insight into the surname's venerable history. Over the centuries, the name diversified as it spread through the Greek mainland and the Aegean islands, adapting to regional dialects and spellings.

A notable figure bearing the surname Zaharias was Theodore Zaharias, a 14th-century Byzantine military commander known for his defense of the empire's northern borders. His strategic genius was documented in several military chronicles of the time, highlighting the role of the Zaharias family in Byzantine history. Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, many Greeks, including bearers of the Zaharias name, migrated to various parts of Europe, further dispersing the surname.

An example from the 18th century is Stavros Zaharias, a prominent merchant in the city of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir). His business dealings with European traders were well-documented in the commercial records of the time. His involvement in both trade and local politics marked the Zaharias name as one associated with commerce and community leadership.

In the 19th century, Evangelos Zaharias emerged as a notable intellectual figure in the fledgling modern Greek state. Born in 1823, he was a professor of philosophy and a prolific writer, contributing to the national conversation about identity and independence. His works on ethics and metaphysics were influential in shaping Greek educational reforms until his death in 1891.

The 20th century saw yet another celebrated bearer of the name: Babe Zaharias, an American athlete of Greek descent born in 1911 as Mildred Ella Didrikson Zaharias. She achieved fame for her versatile sports career, excelling in golf, basketball, and track and field. Her remarkable achievements brought international recognition to the Zaharias name before her untimely death in 1956.

Each of these figures contributed to the historical tapestry of the surname Zaharias, reflecting its rich and versatile legacy from its ancient origins in Greece to its spread across various fields and continents. The surname continues to evoke a sense of historical depth and cultural significance, bearing witness to the enduring legacy of those who carried it through centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaharias

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

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

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

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