Nuyen
An anglicized version of the Vietnamese surname Nguyễn, originating from a Chinese surname meaning "scholar" or "educated person."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Nuyen. That puts it at #58,876 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Nuyen 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
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#58,876
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
344
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 344 bearers of the surname Nuyen in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 58876th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Nuyen, the largest self-reported group is White at 54.9%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (39.8%) and Two or More Races (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Nuyen
The surname Nuyen has its roots in the Vietnamese language, originating from the country of Vietnam during the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged as a variation of the Vietnamese word "Nguyen," which means "to be distinguished" or "to be of noble descent."
In its early history, the name Nuyen was predominantly associated with the Vietnamese aristocracy and scholars. It is said to have been adopted by members of the imperial court and learned individuals who held positions of respect and influence within Vietnamese society.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nuyen can be found in the Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu, a historical text compiled during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400 CE). This work documents the existence of several notable figures bearing the name, including Nuyen Van Sinh (1257-1329), a renowned scholar and court advisor.
As time passed, the name Nuyen gradually spread beyond the confines of the nobility and became more widely adopted by Vietnamese families from various backgrounds. Its spelling and pronunciation may have undergone minor variations in different regions, but the core meaning and significance remained intact.
Throughout history, the name Nuyen has been associated with several influential individuals who have left their mark in various fields. One notable figure was Nuyen Trai (1380-1442), a renowned Vietnamese philosopher, poet, and military strategist who played a crucial role in the Lam Son uprising against the Ming Dynasty.
Another prominent figure was Nuyen Du (1765-1820), a celebrated Vietnamese poet and scholar who is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures in Vietnamese history. His epic poem, "The Tale of Kieu," is considered a masterpiece of Vietnamese literature and has had a profound impact on the country's cultural heritage.
In the 19th century, Nuyen Tat Thanh (1890-1969), better known as Ho Chi Minh, emerged as a pivotal figure in the struggle for Vietnamese independence. As the leader of the Vietnamese nationalist movement, he played a crucial role in the country's fight against colonial rule and eventually became the first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Other notable individuals with the surname Nuyen include Nuyen Ngoc Loan (1930-1998), a South Vietnamese general who gained notoriety for his involvement in the execution of a Viet Cong prisoner during the Vietnam War, and Nuyen Viet Xuan (1390-1464), a revered Vietnamese scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the development of Neo-Confucianism in Vietnam.
While the name Nuyen has its roots in Vietnam, it has also been adopted by individuals of Vietnamese descent living in other parts of the world, particularly in regions with large Vietnamese diaspora communities.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Nuyen
Among Census respondents with the surname Nuyen, the largest self-reported group is White at 54.9%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (39.8%) and Two or More Races (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Nuyen 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 Nuyen surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White54.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander39.8%
- Two or more races2.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Nuyen 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #58,876 | #58,876 | 0.0% |
| Count | 344 | 344 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Nuyen bearers went from 344 to 344 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #58,876 to #58,876.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Nuyen
FAQ
Nuyen surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Nuyen?
The surname Nuyen holds position #58,876 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Nuyen surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Nuyen, the largest self-reported group is White at 54.9%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (39.8%) and Two or More Races (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.