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

Yah, 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 Yah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yah in America

Yah is the 92358th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yah surname appeared 199 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 Yah.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yah to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Yah

The surname Yah is believed to have its origins in the Middle East, specifically within the regions that encompass modern-day Israel and Palestine. The etymological roots of Yah can be traced back to ancient Hebrew. It is derived from "Yah," a shortened form of "Yahweh," which is one of the names for God in the Hebrew Bible. This suggests that the name may have been originally used to signify a religious or spiritual connection.

Historical references to the surname Yah are rare, but it is possible to find mentions in ancient manuscripts and religious texts. One of the earliest recorded examples is from the early medieval period, around the 8th century, where it appears in Jewish religious documents. During this time, surnames were not commonly used, and Yah would have likely functioned more as a patronymic or a family connection to religious duties.

The name Yah can also be found in various forms and spelling variations throughout history. For example, during the times of the Crusades in the 11th and 12th centuries, the name appears in Latinized forms in European records. It is during this period that you see variations like "Jah" or "Iah." The name Yah appeared in early Arabic records as well, reflecting the interactions and translations between Jewish and Islamic cultures during the medieval period.

One notable historical figure with the surname Yah is Rabbi Menachem Yah, born around 1025 and passing away around 1090. Rabbi Menachem Yah was a prominent Jewish scholar known for his religious commentaries and teachings. Another notable person is Moses Yah, a mystic and poet from the 12th century whose works were influential in the spread of Kabbalistic thought.

In the 15th century, the name Yah appeared in Sephardic Jewish communities in Spain. Samuel Yah, born in 1453, was a well-known physician and translator who served in the court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella before the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Samuel Yah's contributions to the translation of Arabic scientific texts into Spanish were highly valued.

Joseph Yah, born in 1690, was a merchant and diplomat based in the Ottoman Empire. He played a significant role in trade negotiations between the Ottoman Empire and various European states. His efforts were recognized in various diplomatic correspondences of the time, highlighting the influence and reach of the Yah family in international trade.

Moving into the Enlightenment period, Rachel Yah, born in 1745, was an intellectual and writer who contributed to the Jewish Enlightenment movement known as the Haskalah. Her essays and letters addressed social and religious reforms within Jewish communities, emphasizing education and integration into broader European society.

In all these instances, the surname Yah played roles in various professional and intellectual fields, showcasing a rich history of religious, cultural, and socio-economic contributions by individuals bearing this name through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yah

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

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 Yah 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Yah has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Yah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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