Černý
A Slavic surname meaning “black” or “dark,” often originally a nickname for someone with dark hair, complexion, or clothing.
The #9,994 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 95,676 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Černý is a Slavic adjective meaning “black” or “dark.” As a surname, it most likely began as a nickname for a person with dark hair, a swarthy complexion, or dark dress. The form without diacritics, Cerny, is a common Anglicized spelling of the Czech surname Černý.
History
The surname is especially associated with Czech and Slovak naming traditions, where color-based nicknames were a common source of family names. It spread beyond Central Europe through migration, and in English-speaking countries the diacritic is often dropped, producing Cerny.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Černý is one of several widespread Slavic surnames built from a basic color adjective; related forms include Černá for women in Czech usage.