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

Zorbas, 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 Zorbas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zorbas in America

Zorbas is the 84136th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zorbas surname appeared 223 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 Zorbas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zorbas 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 Zorbas

The surname Zorbas has its origins in Greece, a country with a rich history and diverse cultural influences. This surname is believed to have originated in the Byzantine period, around the 10th to 12th centuries. The name is rooted in the Greek word "zorbá," which can be translated to mean "leper" or "one who suffers from skin disease." Historically, surnames were often descriptive of an individual's occupation, location, or characteristics.

The name Zorbas was likely used to identify individuals who either suffered from a skin condition or were associated with a leper colony. In the Byzantine era, leper colonies were common, and individuals afflicted with the disease were often ostracized from society. This historical context gives the surname a rather poignant backstory.

One of the earliest references to a similar name can be found in Byzantine records detailing tax rolls and census documents. Although specific early examples of the surname Zorbas in these records are scarce, the mention of similar sounding surnames shows the linguistic evolutions over centuries. Variations of the name, such as Zorba and Zorbaes, have also been noted, particularly in the regions of the Peloponnese and Crete.

A notable figure bearing the surname Zorbas is Alexis Zorbas, the real-life inspiration for the renowned novel "Zorba the Greek" by Nikos Kazantzakis. Born Giorgos Zorbas in 1865 in Macedonia, he became a symbol of the free and spirited lifestyle that defines Greek culture. His life and adventures were immortalized through literature and film, making the name Zorbas iconic on a global scale.

Another historically significant individual was Konstantinos Zorbas, an officer in the Greek army during the early 20th century. Born in 1879, he played a pivotal role in the Balkan Wars and was known for his strategic acumen. His military service and contributions to the Greek state's formation are well-documented in military archives.

In the world of arts, Klio Zorbas, born in 1922, gained recognition as a prominent Greek painter and sculptor in the mid-20th century. Her works often depicted themes of Greek mythology and modernist influences. She contributed significantly to the cultural landscape, particularly during Greece's cultural renaissance post-World War II.

The Zorbas surname also made its mark in academia with Theodoros Zorbas, a noted historian and professor specializing in Byzantine studies. Born in 1938, his prolific research and publications have provided valuable insights into Byzantine societal structures and their evolution. His work has been instrumental in understanding the nuances of medieval Greek history.

The name continues to hold a place in modern Greek culture, not only as a surname but also as an emblem of the spirited and resilient nature of the Greek people. The surname Zorbas has journeyed through centuries, evolving but still retaining its unique identity linked to the rich history and cultural fabric of Greece.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zorbas

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

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

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

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