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

Zhanay, 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 Zhanay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zhanay in America

Zhanay is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zhanay surname appeared 106 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 Zhanay.

The history of the last name Zhanay

The surname Zhanay has its origins in the Central Asian region, particularly from Kazakhstan. The roots of this surname can be traced back to the Turkic languages, which were prevalent in this area during the medieval period. Zhanay is believed to derive from the Kazakh words "zhana" meaning "new" and "ay" which can mean "moon" or "month," suggesting connotations related to renewal or new beginnings.

Kazakhstan, historically part of the vast steppes of Central Asia, has a rich tradition of nomadic culture. In old records from the region, names were often descriptive, capturing elements of nature or significant events. The name Zhanay fits into this cultural context, reflecting the use of natural phenomena in surname creation. One of the earliest references to surnames of this style appears in nomadic tribal records from the 13th century, where descriptive family names began to be more commonly recorded.

The Zhanay surname appears in historical manuscripts detailing the migrations and settlements of Turkic tribes. For instance, there are mentions of a chieftain named Alikhan Zhanay in the 15th century, who played a significant role in the tribal confederations of the era. Though not extensively documented, his leadership is noted in chronicles dealing with tribal alliances and warfare.

In the 17th century, the surname appears again in documents related to the expansion of the Kazakh Khanate. A prominent figure during this period was Batu Zhanay, a member of the ruling elite who was born in 1642 and died in 1703. Batu Zhanay was known for his diplomatic missions and efforts to solidify the power of the Khanate against encroaching forces.

Moving into the 19th century, records show the name Zhanay appearing in the context of the Russian Empire's influence over Central Asia. During this time, many Kazakh families, including the Zhanays, were subjected to various administrative changes. One such person of note is Saken Zhanay, born in 1821 and died in 1891, a local leader who resisted Russian expansion and sought to maintain traditional Kazakh practices.

In the 20th century, another notable figure with the surname is Marat Zhanay, a prominent cultural figure born in 1923 and died in 1985, known for his contributions to Kazakh literature and poetry. His works explored themes of national identity and the impact of Soviet policies on Kazakh culture.

The surname Zhanay, with its connotations of new beginnings and its historical associations with leadership and cultural significance, has deep roots in the history of Central Asia. Its bearers have contributed to various facets of Kazakh and broader Central Asian history, leaving a legacy identifiable through historical records and personal achievements.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zhanay

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

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 Zhanay 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.

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

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

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