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

Zaika, 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 Zaika surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaika in America

Zaika is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaika surname appeared 112 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 Zaika.

The history of the last name Zaika

The surname Zaika is of Slavic origin, predominantly found in Eastern Europe, with its roots in Ukraine and Russia. The name dates back to the medieval period, possibly originating as far back as the 14th or 15th centuries. Historically, it is derived from the Old Slavic word "заець" (zaiets), which means "hare" or "rabbit." This Zoomorphic surname possibly indicated a person who was swift and agile as a hare, or it might also relate to a huntsman or someone engaged in the hunting trade.

One of the earliest recorded appearances of the surname Zaika is found in the church records of Eastern Orthodox parishes in Ukraine during the 16th century. A notable mention is Ivan Zaika, a landowner recorded in Kyiv's regional census of 1566. These historical references highlight the name's presence in specific geographical areas such as Ukraine and southwestern Russia, marking it as prominent amongst the Slavic-speaking peoples of these regions.

In the late 17th century, Andriy Zaika, born around 1675, became well known as a Cossack leader in the Zaporizhian Host, a semi-autonomous polity of Cossacks in Ukraine. His leadership in the ongoing conflicts against Ottoman Empire incursions was documented in various historical chronicles of the time, solidifying the surname's association with bravery and military prowess.

Another prominent figure was Maria Zaika, a composer born in 1820 in the Kharkiv region. Her compositions garnered attention across the Russian Empire and influenced a generation of musicians in the 19th century. Her works, which often incorporated traditional Slavic melodies and folk themes, became popular in the cultural salons of St. Petersburg and Moscow.

In the early 20th century, Mykola Zaika emerged as a significant figure in Ukraine's literary circles. Born in 1885, he was a poet and playwright who contributed to the flourishing of Ukrainian literature during a period of cultural renaissance prior to the tumultuous events of the World Wars. His works are still studied in Ukrainian literature departments today.

The surname Zaika also appears in records outside of Ukraine. For instance, Aleksandr Zaika, born in 1900 in Russia, became a notable figure in Soviet politics, serving as a regional party leader during the mid-20th century. His tenure was marked by significant industrial developments in his region, contributing to the USSR's broader economic plans during the post-World War II period.

As the 20th century progressed, Viktor Zaika, born in 1932, became a distinguished physicist whose research contributed significantly to the field of quantum mechanics. His scholarly articles and published research papers are widely cited and form a critical part of the academic discourse in modern physics.

In tracing the history and origins of the surname Zaika, it becomes clear that the name has a rich and varied heritage. It has been borne by individuals of note in various fields including leadership, the arts, politics, and science, each contributing to the legacy and the continued prominence of the name across generations and geographies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaika

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

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 Zaika 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.

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

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

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