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

Zaid, 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 Zaid surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaid in America

Zaid is the 39773rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaid surname appeared 552 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 Zaid.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaid 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 Zaid

The surname Zaid has its origins in the Arabic-speaking world, specifically rooted in regions that comprise modern-day Middle Eastern countries, notably Saudi Arabia and surrounding areas. Emerging from the classical Arabic language, Zaid means "to prosper" or "to grow," derived from the root word zaada, which holds the connotation of increase and abundance.

Historical references to the name are found in early Islamic texts and records, owing to its linguistic and cultural significance. The name Zaid appears in several early manuscripts and is often associated with tribes and families of notable rank and prestige in pre-Islamic and early Islamic Arab society. The incorporation of this name into Arabic genealogy indicates its integral role in denoting familial prosperity and social standing.

One significant historical figure with the surname Zaid is Urwa ibn Zaid, who lived during the 9th century. He was mentioned in the Kitab al-Tabari, an extensive historical chronicle of early Islamic history. Another notable figure is Al-Harith ibn Zaid, a poet and warrior from the pre-Islamic period, cited in anthologies of classical Arabic poetry. Their records illuminate the enduring presence and prestige of the surname within cultural and historical texts.

The surname Zaid also appears in medieval Arabic geographical works. In the 13th century, the noted traveler and scholar Ibn Battuta mentioned a merchant named Abdullah ibn Zaid in his travels, indicating the surname's association with trade and commerce across the Islamic world. This establishes the name's pervading relevance throughout different facets of society, from literature and poetry to commerce and exploration.

Musannif ibn Zaid is another historical figure of note. A philosopher and theologian of the 11th century, his works contributed significantly to the Islamic Golden Age's scientific and philosophical accomplishments. His writings on ethics and metaphysics were influential in shaping medieval Islamic thought and were often referenced in later scholarly works.

Moving into more recent centuries, Suleiman Zaid, a historian from the 18th century, produced extensive works on the history and lineage of several Arabian tribes. His genealogical records and manuscripts provide essential insights into the sociopolitical fabric and heraldic traditions of the Arab world during that era. His contributions have been instrumental in the documentation and preservation of Arab historical lineage.

The surname Zaid exemplifies a rich tapestry of cultural and historical continuity, from its early roots in the Arabian Peninsula to its recorded presence in significant manuscripts and scholarly works. The consistent presence of individuals bearing the surname Zaid across centuries and their contributions to various fields underscores the name's enduring legacy and prominence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaid

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zaid, 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!