Zaveri last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zaveri

An Indian surname derived from the word 'zavar' meaning jeweler or goldsmith.

Zaveri, 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 Zaveri surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaveri in America

Zaveri is the 36695th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaveri surname appeared 609 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 Zaveri.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaveri 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 36695 49057 -28.83%
Count 609 403 40.71%
Proportion per 100k 0.21 0.15 33.33%

The history of the last name Zaveri

The surname Zaveri has its origins in India, particularly associated with communities involved in the trade of precious metals and stones. The name is derived from the Gujarati word "zaver," which means "jeweler" or "dealer in gold and diamonds." This term itself can be traced back to the Persian word "zevar," meaning jewelry, reflecting the historical influence of Persian culture on Indian languages and trades.

The earliest documented use of the surname Zaveri dates back to trade records and guild listings from the medieval period in Gujarat, a region historically renowned for its thriving commerce in gemstones and jewelry. Intrigued by the glimmering prospects of trade, many families adopted surnames reflective of their vocations, and Zaveri became prominent among those dealing in the lucrative jewelry business.

Historical manuscripts and trade logs from the Mughal era frequently reference the name Zaveri. These documents reveal the name in various spellings, including Zaveri, Zavery, and Javeri, due to the transliteration variations from Persian, Sanskrit, and the regional languages of India. A renowned instance can be found in the records of the 17th-century Mughal Empire, where a Zaveri merchant was acknowledged for facilitating significant trade agreements with foreign merchants.

Throughout history, many notable individuals bore the surname Zaveri. One early figure was Samaldas Zaveri, born in 1780, a prominent jeweler in Ahmadabad who gained fame for his exquisite craftsmanship. Another influential personality was Bhimji Zaveri (1831-1919), who established the renowned Bhimji Zaveri Jewellers in Mumbai in 1864, a name that continues to be associated with high-quality jewelry.

In the realm of literature and social reform, Bagmalbhai Zaveri (1876-1945) emerged as a notable figure. He was a distinguished author and social worker who contributed significantly to the Gujarati literary scene and championed social causes in the early 20th century. His works include several poems and essays that highlight the cultural and social milieu of his times.

The arts also saw the arrival of Ratanbai Zaveri (1896-1975), an early pioneer in Indian theatre. She was celebrated for advocating women's participation in the performing arts during a period when it was largely frowned upon. Her contributions laid the foundation for the inclusion of women in the theatre community.

In the political landscape, Chimanlal Girdharlal Zaveri (1907-1984) made his mark as a member of the Indian National Congress. He participated actively during the Indian independence movement and later served as a parliamentarian, contributing to India’s formative years as a free nation.

The Zaveri name also appears in various localities and place names, particularly in areas where the jewelry trade was a dominant economic activity. Zaveriwad in Surat and Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai are named in honor of the prolific jewelers and traders who once thrived in these bustling marketplaces. These places remain central to the jewelry trade in India to this day.

The Zaveri surname is a testament to the enduring legacy of a community deeply embedded in the intricate art and trade of jewelry. Its historical journey from medieval Gujarat to its current prominence reflects the evolving trade patterns and cultural influences that have shaped its narrative over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaveri

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

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 Zaveri was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 2.46% 15
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 93.76% 571
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 2.63% 16
Hispanic Origin 0.82% 5

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

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 2.46% 2.73% -10.40%
Black (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 93.76% 90.57% 3.46%
American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Two or More Races 2.63% 4.96% -61.40%
Hispanic 0.82% 1.74% -71.88%

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

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

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"Zaveri last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 21, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zaveri-surname-popularity/.

"Zaveri last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zaveri-surname-popularity/. Accessed 21 November, 2024

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

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