Surname Zeki - Meaning and Origin
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Zeki: What does the surname Zeki mean?
The surname Zeki can be traced back to the Middle East and is derived from the Arabic word 'Zakiy', meaning 'Pure'. It is believed to have been adopted by the Ottoman Turkish Empire as a title of nobility and is commonly found amongst Muslim populations.
The origins of the surname point to deeply held religious values and particularly purist interpretations of spiritual concepts. The family may historically have been considered pious, enlightened, educated or privileged.
Today, the surname is still found among Middle Eastern communities in the form of 'Zaki' or 'Zakiyeh'. In the West, however, the form ‘Zeki’ is generally used and is common amongst many different nationalities.
Given its Arabic origins, Zeki is most likely to be used as a patronymic surname, indicating descent from a male ancestor. This could be an individual bearing the given name 'Zaki' or simply an ancestor who was thought to embody the values of purity.
The Zeki surname thus represents a heavily-rooted heritage linked to a past of devotion and faith. It is a powerful memory of one family’s journey through time, bearing witness to generations of piety, enlightenment and progress.
Order DNA origin analysisZeki: Where does the name Zeki come from?
The last name Zeki is common primarily in the Middle East and parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is derived from the Turkish name Zeki [pronounced "knee-key"] and is a popular surname in Turkey, where it is the 92nd most common.
In countries with a large Turkish population, such as Germany, Greece, and Bulgaria, the name Zeki is also found. Ancient versions of the name are found in Macedonia, Albania, and Kashmir, as well as Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
The name may also be found in countries of the Indian subcontinent, where there is a sizeable population of immigrants from South Asia. In India, the name Zeki is found in states with large Muslim populations, such as Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
In the United Kingdom, Zeki is an uncommon yet recognizable name, as it ranked 2,796th in England and Wales in 2018 was the 11,794th most common surname in Scotland in 2018.
The name is found in US records from the Early 1900s, however, it remains uncommon. It can be assumed that many of the US bearers of the name are first-generation immigrants, or those of Middle Eastern, Central or Eastern European, or South Asian descent.
In conclusion, the surname Zeki is most frequently found in countries with sizable Turkish, South Asian, and Central and Eastern European populations, with the UK having some recognition of the name as well, although it remains uncommon.
Variations of the surname Zeki
The surname Zeki is of Turkish origin and is derived from the Turkish given name “Zeki” meaning “intelligent, clear-minded or sagacious”. The surname is most commonly found in Turkey but variations of this surname have been found in other parts of the world.
In Arab countries, it is sometimes found spelled as Zikie, while in Russia, it is spelled as Zekiya. In Yugoslavia, it is spelled as Zekic, or in Croatian, as Zeke. In Albania, it is sometimes spelled as Zaki.
Other surnames believed to have the same origin as Zeki are Zeke, Zacke, Zakki, Zeky, Zakije, Zackey, and Zaky. These surnames have all been found in various parts of the world and are believed to be derived from the same given name.
In some parts of the world, the surname Zeki has been used in other forms as well. For example, in India the surname is spelled as Zeki and is often used as a middle name, while in Singapore, it is often used as a Chinese dialect, either as Zjheki or Zezki.
It is worth noting that many people with the surname Zeki have adopted European surnames over the years, such as Zeke, Zack, or Zach, while in India, it has been used as Jzik, a Hebrew name meaning “clear-minded”.
Finally, the surname Zeki has also been found in some parts of Europe, such as Austria and Hungary, where it is sometimes found spelled as Jakki or Zacky.
Famous people with the name Zeki
- Pali Zeki, British Singer-Songwriter
- Zeki Müren, Turkish Singer, Lyricist, and Actor
- Berat Albayrak, Turkish Economist and Politician
- Zeki Müller, German Produce and Singer-Songwriter
- Çağlar Zeki, Turkish Actor
- Elvan Zeki, Turkish Singer
- Erarslan U. Zeki, Turkish classical guitarist
- Nizamettin Zeki, Turkish Cypriot Electrical engineer and British Cypriot Politician
- Firdes Zeki, Turkish Film Director
- Haluk Zeki, Turkish Musician
- Hasan Zeki, Turkish Football Player
- Hilmi Zeki, Turkish Musician and Orchestrator
- Memet Zeki, Turkish Wrestler
- Murat Zeki, Turkish Actor
- Nazmiye Murat Zeki, Turkish Female Bridge Player
- Özcan Zeki, Turkish Basketball Player
- Selim Zeki, Turkish Football Player
- Veysi Zeki, Turkish Psychiatrist