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

Zimba, 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 Zimba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zimba in America

Zimba is the 80419th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zimba surname appeared 236 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 Zimba.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zimba 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 Zimba

The surname Zimba is believed to have origins in the southeastern African region, particularly associated with the countries of Mozambique and Zambia. Its etymological roots can be traced back to the Bantu languages spoken in these areas. The name is thought to be derived from the word "nzimba," which in some Bantu dialects means "heart" or "core." This could symbolize the central importance of the individual or family in their community.

Early references to the name Zimba are hard to come by due to the oral nature of historiography in many African cultures. It was common for African names to be passed down through generations via storytelling rather than written records. Despite this, Portuguese explorers and missionaries who reached the southeastern coast of Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries did document names that sounded phonetically similar to Zimba in their journals and writings. For example, a Portuguese missionary named João dos Santos in 1609 wrote extensively about the various tribes along the Zambezi River and mentioned a local chieftain named Nzimba.

The Zimba name appears sporadically in colonial records as well. A notable figure is Pedro Zimba, an influential local leader documented in Portuguese colonial archives from the late 18th century. He was known to have resisted Portuguese efforts to establish deeper control in the interior of Mozambique and was an important figure in maintaining local autonomy. These records preserved information about his role in local governance and his interaction with colonial powers.

In the 19th century, the Zimba surname appeared in British colonization records as British explorers and missionaries moved inland. For example, William Zimba is mentioned in the records of the London Missionary Society in the 1890s. He was known for his collaboration with the missionaries in Zambia, aiding them in translating Biblical texts into local languages. His contributions to cultural exchange and education were significant during this period.

Moving into the 20th century, the anti-colonial movements brought several prominent individuals with the Zimba surname into the limelight. Elias Amadu Zimba, born in 1923, was a notable freedom fighter and political figure in Mozambique's struggle for independence from Portuguese rule. He participated in key negotiations and was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the country's eventual independence in 1975.

Another significant figure is Judy Zimba, a cultural anthropologist born in 1954, who has contributed extensively to the understanding of traditional African cultures and the impacts of colonialism. Her work in documenting oral histories and preserving cultural practices has been crucial in maintaining the rich heritage of the region. She has published numerous papers and books that are now foundational readings in African studies programs globally.

In summary, the surname Zimba has deep roots in southeastern Africa, where it holds significant cultural and historical importance. From its early mentions by Portuguese missionaries to its presence in colonial and post-colonial records, the name has been borne by notable leaders, resistors, and scholars, all of whom have contributed to the rich tapestry of African history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zimba

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

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

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

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