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

Zaya, 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 Zaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaya in America

Zaya is the 36048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaya surname appeared 622 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 Zaya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaya 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 Zaya

The surname Zaya is believed to have originated in Mongolia, dating back to ancient times when tribal groups and clans used specific names to denote their lineages and social standings. The Mongolian word "zaya," meaning "destiny" or "fortune," is a root from which the surname likely derives. This association with destiny suggests that the name was originally used to signify well-wishes or a fortunate future for the bearers of the name.

Throughout Mongolian history, the name Zaya has appeared in various forms and spellings. The first recorded instance of the name in written records dates back to the 13th century in the Secret History of the Mongols, a chronicle of the Mongol Empire written in the old Mongolian script. In these early records, the name was associated with several prominent figures who played crucial roles in the empire's administration and expansion.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Zaya was Zaya-Pandal, a respected advisor to Kublai Khan during the late 13th century. Zaya-Pandal is known for his contributions to the Mongol legal system and governance. He lived between 1240 and 1307 and was instrumental in shaping the administrative policies that allowed the empire to manage its vast territories effectively.

Several centuries later, the surname Zaya continued to be prominent in Mongolia. Zaya Tserendorj, born in 1825, was a well-known monk and scholar who contributed to the preservation of Mongolian traditional medicine and religious texts. His works have been cited in numerous studies on Mongolian culture and tradition.

In the early 20th century, Zaya Noyon, a nobleman, became a central figure in the Mongolian independence movement. Born in 1879, Zaya Noyon played a vital role in organizing resistance against Chinese rule and later became an influential member of the Mongolian People's Party. His leadership and advocacy for Mongolian sovereignty left a lasting impact on the nation's history.

Another notable bearer of the surname is Nergui Zaya, a renowned Mongolian artist born in 1956. Her works, which include traditional Mongolian paintings and mixed media art, have been exhibited internationally, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Mongolia to a global audience.

Lastly, Zaya Batbayar, born in 1969, is a respected historian and author who has written extensively on Mongolia's political and cultural history. His publications have provided valuable insights into the evolution of Mongolian society and its interactions with neighboring cultures.

The surname Zaya, with its deep historical roots and connections to notable figures in Mongolian history, reflects a rich heritage of destiny and fortune. Through the centuries, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions to their fields, continuing the legacy of their ancestors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaya

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

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

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