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

Zahedi, 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 Zahedi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zahedi in America

Zahedi is the 49546th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zahedi surname appeared 424 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 Zahedi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zahedi 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 Zahedi

The surname Zahedi originates from Iran, with historical ties to the Persian language and culture. It is derived from the Persian word "Zahed" meaning "ascetic" or "pious," often used to denote someone devoted to spirituality or religious life. The suffix "i" is typically added to denote belonging or origin, translating roughly to "descendant of" or "associated with." Therefore, Zahedi would mean "the descendant of an ascetic" or "related to piety."

Zahedi's etymological roots can be traced back to ancient Persia, now modern-day Iran. It emerged during a time when Persian names often reflected societal roles or personal virtues. The name Zahed was commonly adopted by individuals who were recognized for their spiritual dedication or who lived a life of religious austerity. As a result, the surname Zahedi became a marker of lineage and respect within the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zahedi appears in the medieval Persian manuscripts and records from the Safavid dynasty, which ruled from the 16th to the 18th century. These records often mentioned individuals bearing the surname in connection with religious, administrative, or scholarly duties, reflecting the name's association with spiritual devotion.

A notable early figure with the surname Zahedi is Sheikh Zahed Gilani (1216–1301), a prominent Persian Sufi mystic and spiritual instructor. While "Gilani" denotes his place of origin, Zahedi underscores his revered status as an ascetic. Another influential individual is Fereydoun Zahedi, a Qajar era politician in the 19th century, who held several important governmental positions, contributing to Iran's socio-political landscape.

During the 20th century, General Fazlollah Zahedi (1897–1963) stands out as a significant historical figure, known for his role as Prime Minister of Iran following the 1953 coup d'état against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. His tenure marked a pivotal moment in modern Iranian history, with his leadership being both controversial and impactful.

In literature, Farrokh Zahedi (b. 1943) made a name for himself as a celebrated Iranian-American photographer. His works have been featured in numerous prestigious publications, cementing his reputation in the arts.

The surname Zahedi also gained prominence in academia through figures like Homayoun A. Zahedi, an established scholar in the field of computer science, known for his contributions to network systems and algorithms from the late 20th century onwards.

Throughout its history, the surname Zahedi has been associated with piety, prominent public figures, and significant contributions across various fields. Its legacy continues to be a testament to the cultural and historical richness of its Persian origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zahedi

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

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

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

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