Surname Zelinka - Meaning and Origin
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Zelinka: What does the surname Zelinka mean?
The last name Zelinka is a Czech surname which has its roots in the word "zelenka," meaning "green." This surname is derived from the Proto-Slavic root zel, meaning "green," which can be found in various European languages such as Russian and other Slavic languages.
This last name is thought to be a variation of the last name Zelenka. In the past, it may have been used as a locational or occupational surname, referring to someone from the area of Zelenka or someone who had dealings with green dye and fabrics.
The surname Zelinka is most commonly found in the Czech Republic, but it has also been documented in Slovakia, Poland, and Eastern Europe. In recent times, the Zelinka surname has spread throughout North America and Europe.
The surname Zelinka itself has undergone several variations and spellings over the centuries, including Zeelinka, Zilinke, Zileika, and Zelenka. It has also been known to be written in more modern variants such as Zelyinka, Zelinka.
In some cases, Zelinka has also been given as an anglicized version of a foreign first name or surname with a similar-sounding root; however, it is usually attributed to the original Czech/Slavic root.
Overall, the last name Zelinka is believed to have been derived from the word "zelenka," which literally means "green," as a locational and occupational name derived from an area in Czechoslovakia. It has since spread and varied, developing multiple spellings, and is now found in Europe, North America, and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisZelinka: Where does the name Zelinka come from?
The last name Zelinka is most commonly found today in the Czech Republic. It is one of the most common Slavic surnames in the country. It is derived from the German name "Selinger", and is related to the Polish name "Zielinski".
The Zelinka spelling can be found in other parts of Europe, however it is far less common than in the Czech Republic. The name is present in Austria, Germany, and even in Russia, although its presence in those countries is usually due to immigration from the Czech Republic.
In the United States the name has seen a mild increase in popularity in recent decades, although it is still fairly rare. The Census Bureau indicates that there were approximately 1,100 people in the US with the last name Zelinka in the year 2000. Most of these people are of either Czech or German descent, with the majority of Zelinka's living in the Midwest states.
Due to its relative rarity, the name Zelinka is a great way to represent the cultural diversity of North America. It's a reminder that even small populations can have a lasting impact on society, and that everyone's contribution is meaningful.
Variations of the surname Zelinka
The surname Zelinka is of Czech origin and can have a variety of spellings and variants. It is derived from “zelený” meaning “green” and is most often found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Common variants and spellings include Želinka, Želinková, Zelinka, Zelinková, Zelenko, Zelenka, Zelenková, and Zelenka. Some rare spellings include Zelencko, Zelenezky, Zilinka, and Zilinková.
The surnames listed above may also have other derivative forms, with some having slight variations. For example, the Zelenko spelling may also be found spelled as Zelencova; Želinka may also be seen spelled as Czelinka; and Zelenka may appear in records as Zelunka or Želveňka.
There are several different surnames that have been derived from Zelinka, such as Zelenka, Zeleník (meaning “green man”), Zelinka, Zelinková, Želinka and Želinková, and Zielinka.
Also, there are many variants of the surname Zelinka from outside the Czech Republic such as Ellinck, Helinck, and Helinckx from the Netherlands; Elinka, Sebölinka, Sellinck, and Zelinka from Germany; Zeliborski from Poland; and Selinko, Selinka, Zelinka, Zelenka, and Zilinka from Ukraine.
In conclusion, the surname Zelinka is an old Czech surname with many variants and spellings. These variants are most commonly found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.
Famous people with the name Zelinka
- Dennis Zelinka: Former professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals who is currently a partner at the Zelinka Kalenberg law firm.
- Shannon Zelinka: Canadian figure skater who is a two-time Canadian bronze medalist.
- Julie Zelinka: Canadian-born American swimmer who represented the United States in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.
- Garrett Zelinka: American professional golfer currently competing on the PGA Tour.
- Mark Zelinka: American screenwriter, director, and professor of screenwriting.
- Amber Zelinka: Former collegiate basketball player for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and executive director of the University of North Carolina Athletics Foundation.
- Elizabeth Zelinka: Austrian actress best known for her roles in The Lien and Das Schloss.
- Lee Zelinka: Canadian actor best known for his role as Officer Sykes in the hit TV series Flashpoint.
- Jan Želinka: Czech professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Štítky Brno in the Czech Extraliga.
- Jaroslav Želinka: Former Czech football goalkeeper who played for several clubs in his native country as well as abroad in Norway and England.