Explore the Family Name Gajda
The meaning of Gajda
Polish, Czech, Slovak, Rusyn (from Slovakia and Poland), and Hungarian: from Slavic gajda ‘bagpipe’, in particular the kind of folk instrument found in the Carpathians. The surname arose as a metonymic occupational name for a bagpipe player, but perhaps in some cases also as a nickname, as the Polish word also has the figurative meanings ‘fat legs’ and ‘awkward person’. Compare Gaida and Gayda. Some characteristic forenames: Polish Jacek, Wojciech, Andrzej, Casimir, Gerzy, Grazyna, Janusz, Jerzy, Marzena, Stanislaw, Tadeusz.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Gajda in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Gajda saw a slight decrease in its rank of popularity between 2000 and 2010, moving from the 29,625th to the 29,719th position. Despite this, the count of the surname increased by 5.6%, bringing the total number from 750 in 2000 to 792 in 2010. However, the proportion of this surname per 100,000 people slightly decreased by 3.57%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #29,625 | #29,719 | -0.32% |
| Count | 750 | 792 | 5.6% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.28 | 0.27 | -3.57% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Gajda
The Decennial U.S. Census also provides us with information about the ethnic identity associated with the surname Gajda. In 2000, the majority of individuals with the surname Gajda identified as White (97.47%), followed by those identifying with two or more races (1.07%) and Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic (both at 0.67%). By 2010, while the majority still identified as White (96.46%), there was an increase in those identifying with two or more races (1.39%) and Hispanic (1.14%). The proportions of Asian/Pacific Islanders and those identifying as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native remained relatively stable or were suppressed for privacy reasons.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.47% | 96.46% | -1.04% |
| Two or More Races | 1.07% | 1.39% | 29.91% |
| Hispanic | 0.67% | 1.14% | 70.15% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.67% | 0.63% | -5.97% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |