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

Zenobi, 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 Zenobi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zenobi in America

Zenobi is the 93921st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zenobi surname appeared 195 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 Zenobi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zenobi 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 Zenobi

The surname Zenobi has its origins in Italy, specifically dating back to the medieval period. This name is closely tied to the region of Tuscany, with notable concentrations in Florence. The surname Zenobi is derived from the personal name Zenobius, which itself originates from the Greek name Zenobios. The Greek components "zeno" meaning "life" and "bios" meaning "divine" translate to "divine life". This reflects the deep cultural and religious significance that the name held in early Christian communities.

Historical references to the surname Zenobi appear in various old records and manuscripts from the Renaissance period, a time when Florence was a flourishing center of art and learning. One early record mentioning the Zenobi family dates back to the 13th century. The Notary Archives of Florence contain documents in which the Zenobi family is referenced as landowners and merchants, indicating their involvement in the economic and social fabric of the city.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the works of Dante Alighieri from the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Dante mentioned a noble family named Zenobi in his writings, suggesting the prominence of the name during his lifetime (1265-1321). This family was allegedly involved in the political and cultural life of Florence, although specific individuals are not detailed extensively.

Girolamo Zenobi (1530-1585) is another notable historical figure with this surname. He was a recognized mathematician and philosopher during the Renaissance, contributing to the fields of astronomy and natural sciences. His works were widely circulated in academic circles of the time, and he was known for his connections with other renowned scholars.

Francesco Zenobi, who lived between 1620 and 1688, was a well-known architect from Tuscany. His architectural designs can still be seen in several Italian churches and palaces, reflecting the artistic heritage of the Zenobi family. His work is often cited in historical architectural records and admired for its elegance and innovation.

Another significant figure is Ludovico Zenobi (1790-1847), an influential writer and poet from Florence. His literary contributions helped shape the Italian literary scene during the 19th century, and his poems are studied for their lyrical quality and depth of feeling. He was a contemporary of many other Italian literary figures and contributed to the romantic literary movement of his time.

Livia Zenobi (1822-1893), a pioneering female educator and social reformer, played a crucial role in advocating for women's education in Italy. Her efforts led to the establishment of several schools for girls, which significantly impacted the educational opportunities available to women in the region during the 19th century. Her legacy is celebrated in various historical texts focusing on the development of education in Italy.

Lastly, Paolo Zenobi (1875-1952) was a respected painter and sculptor, whose works depicted the beauty and struggles of rural Italian life. His art gained recognition both in Italy and abroad and remains displayed in several European museums. His contribution to the visual arts earned him a lasting place in the annals of Italian art history.

The surname Zenobi, therefore, encompasses a rich tapestry of historical significance, linguistic heritage, and notable individuals who have made their mark across various fields over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zenobi

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

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

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

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