Explore the Family Name Popelka
The meaning of Popelka
Czech: nickname for someone thought of as ‘gray’, i.e. one who was neglected or overlooked, from a pet form of the word popel ‘ashes’. The name Popelka is the Czech equivalent of Cinderella.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Popelka in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Popelka saw a slight decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 29,932nd and had a count of 740 people with the surname. By 2010, however, the rank dropped to 31,453 and the count decreased slightly to 736, indicating a change of -5.08% in rank and -0.54% in count. The proportion of people named Popelka per 100,000 also fell from 0.27 to 0.25, a decrease of 7.41%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #29,932 | #31,453 | -5.08% |
| Count | 740 | 736 | -0.54% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.27 | 0.25 | -7.41% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Popelka
When considering the ethnic identity associated with the surname Popelka, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows a shift over the decade. In 2000, 97.03% of individuals with this surname identified as White, but by 2010 this percentage had dipped to 94.02%, marking a change of -3.10%. The percentage identifying as Hispanic increased from 1.35% to 2.58%, a rise of 91.11%. In 2010, there were also some who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander and as having two or more races, which was not the case in 2000. No individuals with the surname Popelka identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.03% | 94.02% | -3.1% |
| Hispanic | 1.35% | 2.58% | 91.11% |
| Two or More Races | 0.81% | 1.63% | 101.23% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 1.22% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |