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

Zulu, 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 Zulu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zulu in America

Zulu is the 75564th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zulu surname appeared 255 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 Zulu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zulu 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 Zulu

The surname Zulu originates from the southern part of Africa, specifically in the region that is now known as KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The name traces its roots back to the widely respected and powerful Zulu nation, which began to rise to prominence in the 18th century. The Zulu people trace their lineage to a founding ancestor named Zulu, who is believed to have lived in the early 18th century. The name "Zulu" itself is derived from the Nguni word iZulu, which translates to "heaven" or "sky," indicating a connection to something divine or transcendent.

Historical references to the Zulu surname appear predominantly in oral histories and early colonial records. During the early 19th century, the expansionist endeavors of the Zulu Kingdom under the leadership of King Shaka Zulu brought the name into greater prominence. Shaka Zulu, born in 1787 and assassinated in 1828, is often credited with unifying various clans into the mighty Zulu Kingdom. His military innovations and governance significantly raised the profile of the Zulu name, making it synonymous with strength, strategy, and cultural richness.

While most historical records of the Zulu surname are tied to the Zulu Kingdom's leadership and nobility, one of the earliest specific instances recorded in Western documents includes the name of Mpande Zulu, who reigned as the king of the Zulu nation from 1840 until his death in 1872. Mpande was a half-brother to Shaka and was pivotal in the internal power struggles that shaped the latter half of the 19th century.

Another notable figure is Cetshwayo Zulu, born in 1826 and passed away in 1884, who became king after Mpande. Cetshwayo is well-known for leading the Zulu nation during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, where the famous Battle of Isandlwana took place. His leadership and resistance against British colonial forces left an indelible mark on history and further solidified the prominence of the Zulu surname.

Subsequent historical records note Solomon kaDinuzulu, born in 1891 and died in 1933. Solomon was the son of Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo and continued the lineage of the Zulu royal family during a period marked by increasing colonial encroachment and political complexity. As the influence of the Zulu Kingdom evolved, the surname remained a critical identifier of cultural and historical identity.

In modern history, the surname continued to be associated with influential figures such as Inkosi Albert John Luthuli, born in 1898 and deceased in 1967. Although not bearing the surname Zulu, Luthuli was a Zulu chief and leader who played a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, eventually receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960. His ties to the Zulu heritage underscored the lasting importance of the name.

By tracing its linguistic origins and historical associations, the surname Zulu reflects a rich heritage tied to the powerful kingdom and its influential leaders. From the legendary Shaka Zulu to modern-day bearers of the name, the Zulu surname carries a legacy of resilience, leadership, and cultural pride.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zulu

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

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

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

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