Bienaime
A French surname meaning "well-loved" or "beloved," likely referring to a favored person or a family characteristic.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,639 Americans carry the last name Bienaime. That puts it at #13,376 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.77 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 129,880 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bienaime surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
2.6K
1 in 129,880
Census rank
#13,376
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,277 bearers of the surname Bienaime in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.77 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 13376th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bienaime, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.1%) and Hispanic (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bienaime
The surname BIENAIME originates from France and is derived from the French phrase "bien aimé", meaning "well-loved" or "beloved". This name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, when French surnames began to take shape.
The earliest recorded instances of the BIENAIME surname can be traced back to the Normandy region of northern France, where it was first documented in the 12th century. During this time, it was sometimes spelled as "Bienaymé" or "Bienamé".
In the 13th century, records show that a noble family bearing the BIENAIME name held lands and titles in the village of Bienaime, located near the town of Evreux in Normandy. This suggests that the surname may have originated as a toponymic name, derived from a place name.
One of the earliest known individuals with the BIENAIME surname was Jean BIENAIME, a French scholar and theologian who lived in the late 14th century. Born in Paris around 1350, he was known for his writings on ecclesiastical law and canon law.
In the 16th century, the BIENAIME name appeared in historical records related to the French Wars of Religion. Pierre BIENAIME, born in 1520, was a Protestant nobleman who fought alongside the Huguenots during this turbulent period.
During the 17th century, the BIENAIME family played a prominent role in the cultural and intellectual life of France. Jacques BIENAIME (1612-1687) was a renowned philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of optics.
In the 18th century, the BIENAIME surname gained prominence in the French military. Louis BIENAIME (1735-1809) was a distinguished general who served under Napoleon Bonaparte and played a crucial role in several important battles, including the Battle of Austerlitz.
Another notable figure with the BIENAIME surname was Marie BIENAIME (1789-1865), a French writer and feminist who advocated for women's education and rights during the 19th century.
Throughout history, variations of the BIENAIME surname have been found in different regions of France, including BIENAMÉ, BIENAIMÉ, and BIENAIMÉE. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained consistent, reflecting its deep-rooted connection to the French language and culture.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bienaime
Among Census respondents with the surname Bienaime, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.1%) and Hispanic (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Bienaime bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bienaime surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American92.5%
- Two or more races3.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.9%
- White1.0%
- Unknown or suppressed0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bienaime surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #18,947 | #13,376 | 29.4% |
| Count | 1,332 | 2,277 | 70.9% |
| Per 100K | 0.49 | 0.77 | 57.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Bienaime bearers went from 1,332 to 2,277 (+70.9% change). The surname moved up 5,571 positions in the national ranking, going from #18,947 to #13,376.
FAQ
Bienaime surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bienaime?
The surname Bienaime holds position #13,376 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,639 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.77 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bienaime surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bienaime, the largest self-reported group is Black at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.1%) and Hispanic (2.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.