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

Yehia, 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 Yehia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yehia in America

Yehia is the 95545th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yehia surname appeared 191 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 Yehia.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yehia 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 Yehia

The surname Yehia has its roots in the Middle East, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. Its origins date back to ancient times, where it prominently derived from the Arabic name Yahya, which pertains to John the Baptist in Christian context and a revered prophet in Islam.

The name Yehia is derived from the Arabic verb "حَيَّا" (ḥayyā), meaning "to live" or "to be alive." This etymology reflects a name imbued with life and vitality, which is a common theme in names of Semitic origin. In historical manuscripts, including Islamic texts and Christian biblical references, variations of the name such as Yahya and Yohanan appear, showing its deep-seated biblical and Quranic links.

The surname was not only confined to the Arabian Peninsula but also expanded across the Middle East due to migrations, trade, and the spread of Islamic civilization. Historical documents from the Abbasid Caliphate era (750-1258 CE) mention several prominent figures with the surname Yehia, signifying its early use among scholars and officials.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname Yehia was Yahya ibn Yahya (767-848 CE), a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist from Andalusia, which now comprises modern Spain. Yahya ibn Muadh al-Razi (776-871 CE), a Persian Sufi theologian and mystic, is another example, highlighting the spread and respect of the name within different regions and cultures.

During the Mamluk period (1250-1517 CE), Yehia Mamlouki was a notable figure known for his military leadership and administrative contributions. The surname's prominence continued through the Ottoman era with individuals like Yehia Pasha, an influential governor and military leader in the 16th century.

In the modern historical context, Yehia Haqqi (1905-1992), an Egyptian writer and intellectual, further popularized the surname. His contributions to Arabic literature and storytelling earned him a significant place in contemporary cultural history.

Another influential figure was Yehia El-Fikharany, an esteemed actor born in 1945, who gained fame through his work in Egyptian cinema and television, continuing the legacy associated with the surname Yehia.

Throughout centuries, the surname Yehia has resonated across various domains, from religious scholarship and judicial authority to literary achievements and artistic influence, embodying a rich history and continued relevance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yehia

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

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

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

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