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

Zero, 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 Zero surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zero in America

Zero is the 57781st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zero surname appeared 352 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 Zero.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zero 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 Zero

The surname Zero is a relatively rare and intriguing name with roots that are somewhat elusive, yet traceable to several European regions. Historical records suggest that the name may have originated in Italy, with early references dating back to the medieval period. Linguistic analysis indicates that the surname could be derived from the Italian word "zero," which means "zero" in English, a concept adopted from the Arabic numeral system that had gained prominence in Europe by the 11th century. The diffusion of this surname might also have connections to the Veneto region of Northern Italy, where "Zero Branco" exists as a town name.

In earlier documented references, the name Zero appears in various forms across Europe. One of the earliest known mentions is in a 13th-century Venetian ledger, where a merchant named Giovanni Zero is noted—the exact nature of his trade, however, remains obscure. The variation of the spelling "Zeri" also appears in the same period, suggesting a linguistic evolution tied to the phonetic adaptations common to the region.

During the Renaissance, individuals with the surname Zero became slightly more prominent. Antonello Zero, born in 1525 and known for his contributions to literature and the arts, was one such figure. His manuscripts, now housed in the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice, contain some of the earliest specific references to the surname as belonging to a family with intellectual and artisanal ties.

The 17th century saw the surname Zero appearing in ecclesiastical and civil records more frequently, particularly in Northern Italy. Another notable figure, Francesco Zero, born in 1632, was a well-documented notary whose legal documents remain preserved in the archives of Bologna. The clarity of the records during this period offers a greater understanding of the social standings of individuals with this surname, often associated with professions requiring literacy and education.

Crossing into the 18th century, Giacomo Zero, born in 1701, achieved recognition as a mathematician. Given the mathematical connotation of the word "zero," it is speculated, though not confirmed, that his name might have added a symbolic layer to his professional identity. Records from the University of Padua indicate that Giacomo was an esteemed lecturer and published several treatises on algebra, some of which reference the Arabic numeral system.

In the 19th century, the name Zero broadened its geographical presence. Luigi Zero, born in 1820, became a notable figure in the Italian unification movement. As documented in the Risorgimento archives, Luigi played a pivotal role in several campaigns, aligning his name with the cause of Italian nationalism. His contributions are celebrated not just for their political impact but also for reinforcing the cultural identity of this intriguing surname.

The surname Zero may not be widely prevalent, but its roots stretch deeply into Europe’s historical and cultural fabric. Each reference, record, and individual linked to the name provides a glimpse into the evolution of both the surname and the fields in which bearers of the name left their mark. Through centuries, the Zero family name has intertwined with the broader narratives of commerce, academia, and politics, making it a small yet distinctive thread in the tapestry of European history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zero

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

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

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

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