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

Yalda, 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 Yalda surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yalda in America

Yalda is the 43811th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yalda surname appeared 492 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 Yalda.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yalda 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 Yalda

The surname Yalda has its origins in the Middle East, specifically tied to the regions encompassing modern-day Iran and surrounding areas. The name derives from the Persian term "Yalda," which refers to the night of the winter solstice. This event, celebrated as Shab-e Yalda, marks the longest night of the year and has deep historical and cultural significance. The term itself originates from the Syriac word "yalda," meaning "birth," symbolizing the rebirth of the sun.

Historical references to the surname Yalda can be traced back to ancient manuscripts and records in Persia. One early example is found in a 9th-century A.D. manuscript discussing the customs surrounding Shab-e Yalda. The Persian poets and scholars often used the term metaphorically to describe the triumph of light over darkness, life over death, and knowledge over ignorance. While the word's use as a surname is less prominently documented, it existed in various forms due to its deep cultural roots.

The earliest recorded example of Yalda as a surname is found in a 12th-century registration of landowners in the northeastern Persian region of Khorasan. One Hasan Yalda is documented as a prosperous landowner and benefactor to local educational institutions. His contributions to the society of Khorasan earned him a notable position in regional history.

In the 14th century, a Persian scholar named Farid Yalda wrote a comprehensive treatise on astronomy that gained acclaim in both Persian and Arabic-speaking academic circles. His interpretation of celestial movements was advanced for its time, and his works are still referenced in historical studies of Middle Eastern astronomy. Farid Yalda's contributions to science cemented the Yalda surname as one associated with intellectual pursuit.

Moving into the 16th century, Akbar Yalda served as an advisor in the court of the Safavid ruler Shah Abbas I. Known for his diplomatic skills, Akbar played a crucial role in forming alliances and managing trade routes. His diplomatic endeavors helped stabilize economic relations between Persia and its neighbors, granting the Yalda name recognition in political and economic histories.

Another notable individual, Layla Yalda, emerged in the early 19th century as an influential figure in the Persian literary scene. Her poems, focusing on themes of love, nature, and mysticism, were celebrated for their lyrical beauty and depth. Layla's works were compiled in a much-loved collection published posthumously in 1857.

By the late 19th century, the Yalda surname reached the broader Arabic-speaking world. Sayyid Yalda, a Lebanese historian and writer, documented the history of various Middle Eastern civilizations, focusing particularly on the interactions between Persian and Arab cultures. His historical accounts, published in the early 1890s, remain a significant resource for scholars studying Middle Eastern history.

The surname Yalda thus encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural, scientific, and literary contributions. From ancient manuscripts to notable historical figures, the Yalda name carries a legacy intertwined with pivotal moments in Middle Eastern history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yalda

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

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

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

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