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

Zelenak, 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 Zelenak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelenak in America

Zelenak is the 27452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zelenak surname appeared 878 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 Zelenak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelenak 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 Zelenak

The surname Zelenak has its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly within the territories of modern-day Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It dates back to the medieval period, spanning approximately the 13th to 15th centuries. The name is derived from Slavic roots, specifically from the word "zelený," which means "green" in Slovak and Czech. This points to the surname likely being a topographical name, referring to someone living near a green area, pasture, or forested region.

Historically, the surname Zelenak appears in various regional records and documents from the late Middle Ages. One of the earliest mentions can be traced back to a land document in 1374, where a certain Michal Zelenak was noted as holding property in what is now western Slovakia. The surname's spelling has remained relatively consistent over the centuries, though older records sometimes feature variations like Zelenák or Zelenač due to regional dialects and the evolving nature of the written language.

Another early instance of the surname appears in a 15th-century manuscript that lists patrons of a local church in Moravia, a historical region in the Czech Republic. Here, a Ján Zelenak is recorded as a benefactor, suggesting the family held some prominence in the community at the time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Zelenak. In the 17th century, Martin Zelenak, born in 1620 and died in 1679, was a respected scholar and poet in the region of Bohemia. His works often reflected the cultural and political climate of his era, providing valuable insights into 17th-century Central European society.

In the field of military history, there is Colonel Andrej Zelenak, who served in the Austro-Hungarian army during the early 19th century. Born in 1778 and passing away in 1835, Colonel Zelenak was recognized for his tactical acumen during the Napoleonic Wars, participating in several key battles that shaped European history.

The field of arts and literature also boasts figures with this surname. Zuzana Zelenaková, a notable playwright born in 1845, significantly influenced Slovak theater. Her contributions helped shape the modern Slovak literary canon, though she passed away relatively young in 1882.

In more academic pursuits, Jan Zelenak, a 20th-century historian born in 1902 and died in 1969, is noted for his extensive research on the social dynamics of rural Slovakia. His publications are still referenced by scholars studying the region's history and development.

Lastly, Katarína Zelenaková, born in 1935, made her mark in sports, specifically in track and field. Competing in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, she brought attention to Slovak athletics during a time when international competition was dominated by larger nations.

Overall, the surname Zelenak has a rich history deeply rooted in the cultural and geographical landscapes of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Its bearers have contributed significantly across various fields, from military and scholarly pursuits to arts and sports, reflecting the name's enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelenak

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

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

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

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