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

Zarka, 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 Zarka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarka in America

Zarka is the 95115th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarka surname appeared 192 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 Zarka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarka 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 Zarka

The surname Zarka has its origins in the Middle Eastern region, notably within the Arab world. It is particularly common in countries like Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. The name Zarka is derived from the Arabic word "زَرْقاء" (zarkāʾ), which translates to "blue" or "bluish." This description may have been indicative of a family with distinct features, such as blue eyes, which were rare in the Arab communities.

Historical references to the surname Zarka are sparse, but it has been mentioned in a few old manuscripts and records. An example can be found in the Ottoman tax registers from the 16th century, where the name Zarka appears as a reference to a family lineage within the region that is now modern-day Syria. These records, written in Ottoman Turkish, included transcriptions of Arabic names, including Zarka, suggesting the family's established presence in the region.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Zarka is from the city of Aleppo in Syria during the early 18th century. A notable figure from that period was Ahmad Zarka (1715-1790), a scholar and merchant who played a significant role in the local economy and intellectual circles. His contributions to trade and education in Aleppo were well-documented in local historical narratives.

Another famous individual with the surname was Ibrahim al-Zarka (1820-1885), a prominent figure in the Lebanese independence movement. His efforts to promote Lebanese cultural identity and political autonomy during the Ottoman rule led to his recognition as a national hero in Lebanon.

In the late 19th century, Fatima bint Zarka (1854-1902) gained fame as a revered poet and mystic from Damascus. Her poetic works, written in classical Arabic, have been preserved in several anthologies and continue to be studied for their spiritual and cultural significance.

Moving into the 20th century, Khalil Zarka (1910-1965) emerged as a notable political activist in Palestine. His involvement in the Palestinian national movement and his writings advocating for Palestinian rights and self-determination earned him a place in the history of the region.

In the literary world, Leila Zarka (1923-1985), an acclaimed author from Beirut, Lebanon, made significant contributions to Arabic literature. Her novels and short stories, often reflecting the social and political issues of her time, received critical acclaim and were translated into several languages.

The surname Zarka has a rich history intertwined with the cultural and historical tapestry of the Middle East. Its roots in the Arabic word for "blue" suggest a connection to unique familial characteristics, while its historical bearers have contributed significantly to the intellectual, political, and cultural landscapes of their respective regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarka

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

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

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

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