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

Zi, 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 Zi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zi in America

Zi is the 84463rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zi surname appeared 222 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 Zi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zi 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 Zi

The surname Zi has its origins in China and dates back several millennia. It is derived from the Chinese character 子, which, when used as a surname, traditionally means "child" or "son." Historically, the character 子 also holds connotations of respect and is often seen in classical texts referring to esteemed figures such as philosophers and scholars. The surname Zi can trace its roots to ancient Chinese dynasties, where it was sometimes adopted by individuals of noble birth or scholarly families.

One of the earliest references to the surname Zi can be found in the Yijing (I Ching), one of the oldest Chinese classics. Although not a direct reference to the surname, the widespread use of the character 子 in these ancient texts underscores its historical significance. Moreover, the surname appears in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), written by Sima Qian during the Han Dynasty around the 2nd century BCE. This text references several individuals whose names include the character 子, indicating its use as a surname during that period.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname Zi are often intertwined with the names of prominent scholars or officials in Chinese history. For instance, Zi Xian, a scholar during the Warring States period, is noted for his contributions to Confucian thought; his life spanned the 4th century BCE. Another historical figure, Zi Gong, was a disciple of Confucius and was known for his diplomatic skills; he lived around 500 BCE to around 437 BCE.

Moving forward in history, we encounter Zi Yi, an official during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). He served in several important governmental roles and is noted for his poetry and calligraphy, reflecting the scholarly attributes often associated with the surname. Another notable figure is Zi Xiu, a writer and philosopher from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), who made significant contributions to Chinese literature and ethics.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE), Zi Wei, a military general, played a crucial role in several key battles that helped solidify the dynasty's control over China. His legacy continued through his descendants, many of whom also served in military and administrative positions.

Lastly, in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 CE), Zi Long, a renowned calligrapher and painter, made lasting contributions to the arts. He was particularly famous for his landscape paintings and his calligraphy, which were highly regarded and collected by contemporaries. His works are still studied by art historians and enthusiasts today.

Throughout history, the surname Zi has been associated with various distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to Chinese culture, governance, and intellectual life. Its historical significance and usage in classical texts underscore its deep-rooted presence in Chinese history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zi

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

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

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

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