Yazdi last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Yazdi

An ethnic surname referring to someone from the city of Yazd in Iran.

Yazdi, 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 Yazdi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yazdi in America

Yazdi is the 43206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yazdi surname appeared 500 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 Yazdi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yazdi 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 43206 49869 -14.32%
Count 500 395 23.46%
Proportion per 100k 0.17 0.15 12.50%

The history of the last name Yazdi

The surname Yazdi has its origins in Iran, specifically linked to the city of Yazd in central Iran. The name indicates that the bearer or their ancestors were from this region. Yazd is one of the oldest cities in Iran, with a history that dates back to the time of the Median Empire (678-549 BCE). The name Yazdi, therefore, denotes an association with this ancient city, reflecting both geographical and cultural ties.

Yazdi is derived from the Persian word "Yazd," which means "holy" or "sacred" in Middle Persian. This etymology reflects the deep historical and religious significance of the area. Yazd is renowned for its Zoroastrian heritage, and the city has been a center for Zoroastrianism since antiquity. The name also carries connotations of reverence and respect.

Historical references to the name Yazdi can be traced back to Persian manuscripts and records from medieval times. During the Islamic Golden Age, Yazd was a notable center of learning and trade, which likely contributed to the dispersal of the surname. The name appears in historical documents, including trade records and scholarly works.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Yazdi is from the 13th century, where it was mentioned in connection with Kamal al-Din Yazdi, a poet and scholar who lived during the Mongol period. His contributions to Persian literature were notable, and he is best remembered for his poetry that often reflected themes of love and spirituality.

Mirza Mohammad Yazdi, another significant historical figure, was a 16th-century Iranian scholar and a prominent theologian during the Safavid dynasty. His works in the realm of religious scholarship were influential, and his lineage traced back to the city of Yazd, affirming the lasting relevance of the surname through generations.

In the 19th century, the name Yazdi appears in the context of Mirza Reza Kermani Yazdi, an important political figure who was involved in the Constitutional Revolution in Iran. Born in 1854 and executed in 1896, he played a pivotal role in advocating for constitutional reforms and is remembered as a national hero.

Yaghoub Yazdi, a 20th-century writer, further popularized the surname through his contributions to Persian literature and journalism. Born in the early 1900s, his works often explored social issues and cultural identity within Iran, providing a modern reflection of the historical and cultural depth associated with the name.

Nasrin Yazdi, a renowned contemporary figure born in the mid-20th century, has made significant contributions to the field of education in Iran. Her efforts in advancing educational reforms have been widely recognized, and she has played a crucial role in improving access to education for women and underprivileged communities.

The surname Yazdi thus encapsulates a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and geographical significance. Its roots in the ancient city of Yazd connect it deeply to Persian heritage, while its continued presence through influential figures across centuries highlights its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yazdi

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

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 Yazdi was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 83.80% 419
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 12.40% 62
Hispanic Origin 3.40% 17

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 Yazdi has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 83.80% 83.04% 0.91%
Black (S)% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% 1.77% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races 12.40% 11.39% 8.49%
Hispanic 3.40% 2.78% 20.06%

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

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

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"Yazdi last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/yazdi-surname-popularity/.

"Yazdi last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/yazdi-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Yazdi last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/yazdi-surname-popularity/.

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