Explore the Family Name Smolka
The meaning of Smolka
1. Polish (mainly Smołka): metonymic occupational name for someone who gathered natural resins from pines and firs, from smołka ‘resin’. Alternatively, it may be an occupational name for a distiller of pitch, from a derivative of smoła ‘pitch, tar’. See also Smola. 2. Czech and Slovak: from a derivative of smola ‘resin, pitch’, figuratively ‘bad luck’, used as an occupational name or as a nickname (see Smola). 3. Sorbian (Smółka and Smołka): occupational name from a diminutive of Lower Sorbian smóła, Upper Sorbian smoła ‘resin, pitch’. 4. German: of Slavic origin (see above). Some characteristic forenames: German Horst, Gerda, Matthias.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Smolka in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Smolka has shown a slight rise in popularity. In 2000, Smolka was the 35,957th most common surname, but by 2010 it had moved up to the 34,618th position—a 3.72% increase in rank. The census also shows that the number of individuals bearing the Smolka surname has grown from 590 in 2000 to 653 in 2010—an increase of 10.68%. Despite these increases, the proportion of the surname Smolka per 100k population remained consistent at 0.22.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #35,957 | #34,618 | 3.72% |
| Count | 590 | 653 | 10.68% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Smolka
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insights into the ethnic identity associated with the surname Smolka. In 2000 and 2010, the majority of people with this surname identified as White, making up 95.59% and 94.33% respectively, showing a slight decrease of 1.32%. There were also minor shifts within other ethnicities. The percentage of Smolka individuals identifying as Hispanic increased from 1.36% in 2000 to 1.99% in 2010, marking an impressive growth of 46.32%. Furthermore, those identifying as belonging to two or more races saw an increase of 20.69%, moving from 2.03% in 2000 to 2.45% in 2010. Notably, there were no recorded individuals with the Smolka surname who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.59% | 94.33% | -1.32% |
| Two or More Races | 2.03% | 2.45% | 20.69% |
| Hispanic | 1.36% | 1.99% | 46.32% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.92% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |