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

Zahr, 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 Zahr surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zahr in America

Zahr is the 86314th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zahr surname appeared 216 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 Zahr.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zahr 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 Zahr

The surname Zahr has its roots in the Middle East, specifically in the regions historically known as the Levant, encompassing modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel. The name dates back several centuries and is closely related to the Arabic word "زهر" (zahra), which means "flower" or "blossom." This association with the flower suggests the surname may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone with a pleasant disposition or appearance.

Ancient records mentioning the surname Zahr can be traced back to medieval times. Documents from the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over the Levant from the 16th century to the early 20th century, contain references to individuals bearing this name. For example, a 17th-century tax register from the region of Mount Lebanon lists a family known as Zahr residing in the village of Bchamoun.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Zahr is Khalil Zahr, a merchant from the city of Aleppo in the early 18th century. His trading ventures extended across the Levant and even into parts of Europe, allowing the name to gain some recognition beyond its original locale.

During the 19th century, Zahr became more prominent due to the activities of figures such as Youssef Zahr, a noted scholar and scribe born in 1825 in Damascus. Youssef Zahr's works on Arabic literature and calligraphy were well-regarded in intellectual circles of the time. His contributions helped solidify the surname in historical records, particularly in the annals of academic and artistic achievements.

In the early 20th century, the name Zahr appeared in the context of political movements within the Levant. Nassif Zahr, born in 1888 in Beirut, was an influential member of the anti-colonial resistance against French mandate rule in Lebanon. His leadership and activism left a lasting impact on the national consciousness and the history of Lebanon.

Another significant bearer of the name in the 20th century was Salim Zahr, born in 1910 in Haifa. Salim Zahr was a pioneering figure in the field of medicine in Mandate Palestine. He contributed to the establishment of several healthcare facilities and was instrumental in developing medical practices that benefited numerous communities in the region.

Throughout history, the surname Zahr has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, from trade and scholarship to political activism and medicine. The name's origins in the Levant and its connection to the Arabic word for flower reflect a rich cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zahr

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!