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

Zaher, 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 Zaher surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaher in America

Zaher is the 44808th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaher surname appeared 479 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 Zaher.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaher 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 Zaher

The surname Zaher has its origins in the Middle East, most prominently in the Arabic-speaking countries. The name is derived from the Arabic word "ظاهر" (Zāhir), which means "apparent," "manifest," or "outward." The root "ظَهَرَ" (ẓahara) also carries connotations of "to appear" or "to be clear," suggesting a meaning linked to openness or visibility.

Zaher has been present in historical records from areas primarily in modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and parts of Palestine. This surname is tied to the traditions of Arabic naming conventions where names often stem from attributes, professions, or geographical origins. The Arabic influence spread greatly during the Islamic conquests starting in the 7th century, which could explain the dispersal of the name across the Middle East.

Historical references to the name Zaher include manuscripts and records from the Abbasid Caliphate period around the 9th century, as the Islamic Golden Age further enriched cultural and linguistic exchanges. Many Arabic surnames were documented by scholars during this period, although formal population censuses were not conducted.

One of the earliest recorded usages of Zaher is found in the year 1374 where Ahmad al-Zaher, a scholar from Damascus, became well-respected within intellectual circles for his contributions to the study of Islamic jurisprudence. Another notable figure, An-Nasir al-Zaher (1180-1225), was a sultan in the Ayyubid dynasty who played a crucial role in the politics of the Crusades.

In the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century, a trader named Yusuf ibn Zaher is documented in trade routes connecting Aleppo to the Mediterranean ports, indicating the family's engagement in commerce. This time also marks a period where surnames were often associated with familial lineage and occupation.

During the 18th century, a prominent individual named Ibrahim Zaher served as an advisor to the local governor in Beirut, showcasing the surname's integration into political life. His influence extended to social and economic reforms within the region.

A more recent historical figure, Kahlil Zaher, born in 1885, was a Lebanese poet whose works were influenced by the Nahda, an intellectual enlightenment movement. Kahlil’s poetry often focused on themes of national identity and cultural pride, earning him recognition throughout the Arab world until his death in 1947.

Zaher as a surname has a rich historical tapestry woven through the Middle East's vibrant and expansive history. Its evolution reflects the socio-political changes and cultural developments from medieval times to more modern eras, displaying a legacy entrenched in the values and characteristics conveyed by its meaning — clarity, visibility, and prominence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaher

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

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

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

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