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

Zahirović, 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 Zahirović surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zahirović in America

Zahirović is the 66164th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zahirović surname appeared 299 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 Zahirović.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zahirović 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 Zahirović

The surname Zahirovic finds its origins in the Balkan region, particularly within Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the male given name Zahir, which has roots in Arabic. The name Zahir is an Arabic word meaning "shining" or "bright," often used as an adjective or a noun. The suffix ovic is a common Slavic patronymic denotation, indicating "son of" or "descendant of". Combining the two parts, Zahirovic essentially means "son of Zahir."

Historically, Zahirovic is most likely to be found among Bosniak communities, who are predominantly of Islamic faith and have been influenced by the Ottoman Empire's linguistic and cultural elements. The spread of the surname can be traced back to the period when the Ottoman Empire exerted its influence over the Balkans, which lasted from the 15th to the 19th centuries. In this context, the name Zahir likely entered the local naming traditions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zahirovic appears in the 16th century, during the Ottoman rule when population censuses known as defters were conducted. Though these records are not as widely preserved or as accessible as some Western documents like the Domesday Book, they provide crucial insights into the makeup of early Bosnian society.

Several notable individuals with the surname Zahirovic have left their imprint on history. For instance, Hasan Zahirovic, born in 1809 and deceased in 1897, was a significant figure during the period of Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia. He played an important role in local governance and was known for his efforts to mediate between the occupying powers and the local population.

Emir Zahirovic, born in 1924 and deceased in 1991, was a well-known Bosnian writer and journalist who made significant contributions to Bosnian literature and media. His works often centered around themes of identity, displacement, and cultural heritage, reflecting the tumultuous history of the region.

Nihad Zahirovic, born in 1965, was a prominent football player in former Yugoslavia, known for his tenure with several major Balkan clubs during the 1980s and 1990s. His athletic achievements made him a celebrated figure in Bosnian sports history.

Eldina Zahirovic, born in 1979, a notable academic and human rights activist, has made important contributions to the discourse on post-war reconciliation and the protection of minority rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The surname Zahirovic today continues to bear a strong connection to its historical roots and cultural origins. It serves as a testament to the rich and complex history of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the enduring legacy of the Ottoman influence in the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zahirović

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

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

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

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