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

Zelenka, 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 Zelenka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelenka in America

Zelenka is the 24388th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zelenka surname appeared 1,027 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 Zelenka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelenka 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 Zelenka

The surname Zelenka originates from the Czech Republic and dates back to the medieval period. It is predominantly found in areas of Central Europe, including Bohemia and Moravia, which are historical regions of the present-day Czech Republic. The name itself is derived from the Czech word zelený, meaning "green," which is a reflection of the lush landscapes and agricultural heritage of these regions.

Records trace the surname Zelenka to early medieval documents. One of the early references appears in Bohemian records from the 1300s, marking the name as one associated with farming or verdant areas. During this time, the name likely served to describe individuals who lived near green fields or forests.

The first known bearers of the surname Zelenka include Jan Zelenka, who was mentioned in a 1378 manuscript detailing land ownership in Moravia. Another historical figure is Václav Zelenka, a 15th-century merchant who gained prominence in Prague, reflecting the name's adoption by various social classes over time.

In the 17th century, Jiří Zelenka was known as a renowned Czech composer, contributing significantly to Baroque music. Born in 1679 and dying in 1735, his works are still celebrated in European classical music circles. The name Zelenka thus transcended agricultural associations, becoming linked with the arts and culture.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Zelenka surname had spread beyond the Czech lands, reaching parts of Austria and Germany. This was partly due to the Habsburg Monarchy's political influence in Central Europe. Notably, Franz Zelenka, born in 1794, became a prominent figure in the Habsburg military, showcasing the adaptability and geographic spread of the surname during this era.

More recently, another significant figure is Jaromír Zelenka, an early 20th-century Czech historian and writer, known for his contributions to the documentation of Czech national history. His works, published in the 1920s and 1930s, emphasize the cultural and historical depth of the Czech people.

Throughout its history, the surname Zelenka has evolved from a descriptor of agricultural living to a name associated with a diverse range of professions and social standings, maintaining a strong connection to its Czech roots while adapting across Central Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelenka

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

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

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

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