Zakian last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zakian

A surname of Armenian origin, possibly derived from a location or denoting someone hailing from a particular region.

Zakian, 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 Zakian surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zakian in America

Zakian is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zakian surname appeared 132 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 Zakian.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zakian 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 129047 136783 -5.82%
Count 132 113 15.51%
Proportion per 100k 0.04 0.04 0.00%

The history of the last name Zakian

The surname Zakian originates from Armenia, an ancient country located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. The name is of Armenian origin, and its earliest usage can be traced back to the Middle Ages. During this period, Armenia's unique culture and language were particularly insulated due to geographical and political factors, which allowed surnames like Zakian to retain their distinct characteristics over centuries.

Etymologically, the surname Zakian is derived from the Armenian word "Zak," which means "birth" or "child," combined with the suffix "ian," which is often used in Armenian surnames to denote "son of" or "descendant of." Hence, the name Zakian generally translates to "son of Zak" or "descendant of Zak," indicating a lineage or familial connection. Similar spellings and variations of the surname may include Zakyan or Zakhian, each adhering closely to the original meaning.

Historical references to the surname can be found in various Armenian manuscripts and records from the medieval period. Armenian historical texts often recorded the names of nobility and prominent families, some of whom bore the surname Zakian. These records, though sparse due to centuries of invasions and turmoil in the region, provide glimpses into the lives of individuals and families who carried this name.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname appears in a 15th-century manuscript, where a certain Aram Zakian was mentioned. Aram Zakian was noted for his contributions to the local community in the capital city of Yerevan. Another significant figure is Levon Zakian, a bishop in the Armenian Apostolic Church during the 17th century, who played a crucial role in the church's activities and was known for his scholarly works.

Fast forward to the 19th century, another notable individual is Hovhannes Zakian, born in 1824 and died in 1886, who was a prominent philosopher and poet contributing significantly to Armenian literature. His works often reflected the nationalistic fervor of the time and are still studied today for their literary and historical value.

Another Zakian of note is Miriam Zakian, born in 1912, an accomplished painter whose works were influenced by the Armenian landscapes and folklore. Her pieces often depicted the cultural vibrancy and rich history of Armenia, earning her acclaim both in her homeland and abroad. She continued to create and exhibit her works until her death in 1983.

In the early 20th century, the name appears in international records, with individuals such as Arman Zakian emigrating to the United States. Born in 1901, Arman became a successful businessman in New York, significantly contributing to the diaspora's community and cultural heritage.

Finally, another prominent individual is Vartan Zakian, a political activist born in 1889. He was influential in the early 20th-century Armenian independence movement and played a vital role in various political activities aimed at securing autonomy for Armenia. His efforts remain celebrated in Armenian history, and he passed away in 1956.

Through the centuries, the surname Zakian has been borne by many individuals who contributed to their communities and fields of interest, each adding to the rich tapestry of Armenian history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zakian

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

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 Zakian was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 93.94% 124
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 3.79% 5
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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 Zakian has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 93.94% 93.81% 0.14%
Black 0.00% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 3.79% (S)% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races (S)% (S)% (S)%
Hispanic (S)% 0.00% (S)%

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

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

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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!

"Zakian last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zakian-surname-popularity/.

"Zakian last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zakian-surname-popularity/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Zakian last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/zakian-surname-popularity/.

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