Explore the Family Name Zephir
The meaning of Zephir
1. French (Zéphir): from the French form of Zephyros, the name of the Greek god of the west wind, or from the French loanword zéphyr denoting a light wind from the west, probably applied as a nickname. This surname is very rare in France. 2. West Indian (mainly Haiti) and Mauritian (Zéphir): from the personal name Zéphir of the same origin as 1 above. This surname was brought to the US mostly from Haiti.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Zephir in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Zephir significantly increased from 2000 to 2010. The rank of the surname rose from 66,676th in 2000 to 56,073rd in 2010, showing a notable change of 15.9 percent. The count of individuals with this last name also saw an increase during this period, from 277 in 2000 to 365 in 2010, marking a considerable growth of 31.77 percent. Moreover, the proportion per 100,000 people grew by 20 percent, from 0.1 in 2000 to 0.12 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #66,676 | #56,073 | 15.9% |
| Count | 277 | 365 | 31.77% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.1 | 0.12 | 20% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Zephir
As for the ethnic identity associated with the surname Zephir, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census indicates several shifts between 2000 and 2010. There was no representation from the Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native communities in either year. The population identifying as Black showed a significant increase of 16.21 percent, making it the dominant ethnicity tied to the surname, rising from 63.18 percent in 2000 to 73.42 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, the percentage of individuals identifying as White decreased by 21.09 percent, and those identifying with two or more races dropped sharply by 69.67 percent. The Hispanic community saw a slight increase of 8.30 percent over the decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 63.18% | 73.42% | 16.21% |
| White | 27.08% | 21.37% | -21.09% |
| Hispanic | 2.53% | 2.74% | 8.3% |
| Two or More Races | 7.22% | 2.19% | -69.67% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |