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

Zima, 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 Zima surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zima in America

Zima is the 20996th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zima surname appeared 1,253 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 Zima.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zima 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 Zima

The surname Zima has its roots primarily in Eastern Europe, specifically within the regions that now encompass Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The name dates back to at least the Middle Ages, a turbulent time when surnames were becoming necessary for administrative purposes. Derived from the Slavic word "zima," which means "winter," the name likely referred to individuals who exhibited characteristics associated with winter or lived in an area notable for its harsh winters.

Old records and manuscripts, predominantly written in Latin and Old Church Slavonic, sporadically mention the surname Zima. Among the earliest references is a mention of a "Johannes Zima" in a 14th-century Polish document dealing with local governance and land ownership. Such records illuminate the circumstances of the time and highlight the importance of familial lineage in social and economic activities.

In examining historical references, one finds the surname Zima appearing in land and tax records from the late Middle Ages. By the 15th century, individuals with the surname Zima are found in Czech territories. For instance, a significant document from 1422 lists "Petr Zima" as a landowner in what is now modern-day Prague. Another historical figure, "František Zima," appears in records from 1568 as a merchant in the Bohemian region.

The name Zima transformed slightly in pronunciation and spelling over the centuries due to the influences of different ruling empires and languages. For example, in some medieval documents from Moravia, the name is occasionally recorded as "Szymon de Zima," indicating a possible noble or landowner status.

During the 18th century, notable individuals bearing the surname arise, such as "Jakub Zima" (born 1706, died 1778), a notable craftsman whose works had a significant impact on folk art in the Tatra region of Poland and Slovakia. Jakub's intricate wood carvings earned him renown, and some of his works are preserved in regional museums.

In more recent historical periods, in the 19th century, "Jan Zima" (born 1834, died 1891) emerged as a prominent scholar and naturalist in what is now the Czech Republic. Jan made significant contributions to the study of local flora and fauna, publishing several works that remain important in Czech natural history.

Among the more well-known historical figures in the 20th century is "Anna Zima" (born 1887, died 1972). Anna survived the tumultuous times of World War I and II and was deeply involved in humanitarian efforts, founding a refuge for war orphans in Krakow during World War II. Her work had a lasting impact, and she was posthumously honored for her contributions to society.

The place names associated with the surname Zima in historical records often correspond to old Slavic settlements. Villages such as Zimna Woda in Poland and Zimno in Ukraine bear testament to the spread of the name across Slavic lands. While precise records of migration patterns are sparse, it is clear that the surname Zima has been carried through generations, reflecting the rich history of the regions it originates from.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zima

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

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

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

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