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

Zeka, 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 Zeka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeka in America

Zeka is the 67747th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeka surname appeared 291 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 Zeka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeka 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 Zeka

The surname Zeka is primarily of Albanian origin, emerging prominently in the Balkans region. The etymological roots of the name trace back to ancient Albanian language constructs, with some academic theories suggesting a possible derivation from the old Illyrian word "zea," which means "voice" or "sound." Given the historical demographic changes and migratory patterns in the Balkans, the name has seen various forms and spellings over the centuries.

The earliest references to the surname Zeka appear in medieval Albania, particularly in regions that are today known as northern Albania and Kosovo. One of the oldest known records is from the 14th century, where the name was documented in local church registers and land records, though exact documents have been lost to time.

One historical figure of note is Pjetër Zeka, a local chieftain during the 17th century who played a significant role in regional disputes. Born around 1620 and deceased in 1685, Pjetër Zeka's lineage is well-documented in the annals of Albanian history, illustrating the socio-political influence wielded by families carrying the Zeka name.

In the 19th century, the diaspora of Albanians due to the Ottoman Empire's complex socio-political dynamics saw individuals with the surname Zeka migrating to other parts of Europe. An important example is Gjon Zeka, born in 1835, who became a notable figure in the Albanian National Awakening movement. He died in 1902, and his contributions were instrumental in the cultural and political spheres of that time.

Another notable person is Mehmet Zeka, a well-respected scholar born in 1881 who made substantial contributions to the field of Albanian poetry and literature. His works remain influential to this day, and he passed away in 1946.

By the early 20th century, the surname Zeka continued to be associated with people of prominence. For instance, Dr. Luljeta Zeka, born in 1910, became one of the first female doctors in Albania, distinguishing herself in both medicine and social activism before her death in 1973.

In summary, the Zeka surname holds a rich historical and cultural legacy that spans several centuries. With its roots deeply embedded in Albanian heritage, individuals bearing this surname have played notable roles in various socio-political and academic arenas throughout history. The name survives as a testament to the enduring nature of Albanian identity and resilience.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeka

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

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

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

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