Explore the Family Name Zelek
The meaning of Zelek
Polish: 1. (Żelek): from a pet form of the Polish personal names Żelisław or Żelistryj, with the first element derived from Old Slavic želěti ‘to desire, to wish’. 2. occupational name from Polish dialect zelek ‘rag-and-bone man’. Some characteristic forenames: Polish Tadeusz.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Zelek in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Zelek has seen a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 45,651st in terms of prevalence, but by 2010, it had dropped to 46,138th – a change of -1.07%. However, the actual count of individuals with this surname increased from 441 to 462, marking an increase of 4.76% over the decade. The proportion per 100,000 people remained steady at 0.16.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #45,651 | #46,138 | -1.07% |
| Count | 441 | 462 | 4.76% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Zelek
When it comes to the ethnic identity associated with the surname Zelek, data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows that it is overwhelmingly identified as White, with 95.24% in 2010, down slightly from 95.46% in 2000. There has been a marked increase in Hispanic identification, rising from 2.27% to 3.03%. A small percentage (1.08%) identified as Black in 2010, a new development since there were no recorded Black identifiers in 2000. The categories Asian/Pacific Islander and Two or more races both registered 0%, with the latter seeing a decrease from 1.59% in 2000. American Indian and Alaskan Native also held at 0%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.46% | 95.24% | -0.23% |
| Hispanic | 2.27% | 3.03% | 33.48% |
| Black | 0% | 1.08% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 1.59% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |