Find out how popular the last name Berhan is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Berhan.

Berhan, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Berhan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Berhan in America

Berhan is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Berhan surname appeared 103 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Berhan.

The history of the last name Berhan

The surname BERHAN is believed to have originated in the Horn of Africa region, specifically in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Semitic languages spoken in this area, such as Ge'ez and Amharic.

One theory suggests that BERHAN is derived from the Ge'ez word "ብርሃን" (berhan), which means "light" or "radiance." This connection could indicate that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who were perceived as enlightened or radiant in their character or deeds.

Another possibility is that the name is linked to the Amharic word "በርሃን" (berhan), which also translates to "light" or "luminous." This interpretation aligns with the belief that names often carried symbolic meanings related to desirable qualities or attributes.

Historical records from the medieval period in the Ethiopian Empire mention individuals bearing variations of the BERHAN surname. For instance, the 14th-century Kebre Negest (Book of Kings) refers to a notable figure named Berhan Mogassa, who served as a high-ranking official during the reign of Emperor Amda Seyon I (1314-1344).

Another early reference can be found in the 16th-century Futuh al-Habasha (Conquest of Abyssinia), which chronicles the military campaigns of Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi against the Ethiopian Empire. This text mentions a commander named Berhan Muda, who played a significant role in the resistance against al-Ghazi's forces.

Notable individuals with the BERHAN surname include:

1. Berhan Hayla Selassie (1887-1975), an Ethiopian diplomat and military officer who served as the Minister of War during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
2. Berhan Wolde Aregay (1905-1982), an Ethiopian historian and scholar who authored several influential works on the history and culture of the Horn of Africa region.
3. Berhan Tesfa (born 1938), an Ethiopian long-distance runner who won the Boston Marathon in 1962 and set numerous records in his career.
4. Berhan Ahmed (born 1980), an Eritrean-American author and human rights activist, known for her writings on migration, identity, and the experiences of refugees.
5. Berhan Kassahun (born 1988), an Ethiopian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for various clubs in Ethiopia and abroad.

It is worth noting that the BERHAN surname may have variations in spelling or pronunciation across different regions and cultures, reflecting the diverse linguistic influences and historical migrations within the Horn of Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Berhan

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Berhan.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Berhan was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Berhan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Berhan, please contact us.

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