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

Yellen, 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 Yellen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yellen in America

Yellen is the 36426th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yellen surname appeared 614 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 Yellen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yellen 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 Yellen

The surname Yellen has its origins in the Ashkenazi Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, particularly in areas that are now part of Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is believed to date back to around the 18th century or earlier. The surname has possible roots in the Yiddish word "yel," which translates to "yell" or "shout," though variations and interpretations exist, and some ties suggest connections to names of topographical or occupational origins.

Old records and manuscripts do not commonly reference the surname Yellen due to its specific Ashkenazi Jewish lineage. Eastern European Jewish surnames often underwent changes in spelling and form as families migrated and adapted to new languages and customs. Variations such as Jelin and Yelinsky can be traced back to historical documents from the same regions, which demonstrate the fluidity of surname adoption and evolution.

One of the earliest recorded Yellens can be found in 19th-century records of Jewish communities in Poland and Lithuania. For instance, a Mikolaj Yellen appears in Polish records from the mid-1800s. The assortment of spellings reflects the localized dialectical changes and administrative interpretations by record keepers.

Among the notable individuals bearing the Yellen surname is Janet Yellen, born in 1946, who has served as the Chair of the Federal Reserve and Secretary of the Treasury in the United States. Her prominence in economic policy places her as a significant modern figure with this surname. Equally important is Elinor Yellen, born in 1924 and passing in 2013, a renowned expert in textiles and vintage clothing whose works have been influential in the study of fabric and fashion history.

Another notable figure is David Yellen, born in the 1950s, recognized for his work as an American legal educator and serving as Dean of various law schools. His contributions to legal education further the legacy of the Yellen surname in academic circles.

Going further back, Isaac Yellen, a notable Jewish scholar and community leader in 19th-century Lithuania, contributed to the intellectual and cultural fabric of his community. His works, though lesser-known, provide a glimpse into the rich history of Ashkenazi Jewish life.

Morris Yellen, born in 1898 and passing in 1963, was an influential labor leader in the United States, advocating for workers' rights and better working conditions during a critical period in American labor history. His activism marks a significant chapter in the Yellen family's contribution to societal progress.

The surname Yellen, as traced through these historical references, reflects a lineage of scholarly pursuit, economic influence, legal education, artistic endeavors, and social activism, providing a window into the diverse impacts and legacy of individuals carrying this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yellen

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

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

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

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