Yen
A Chinese surname meaning "strict" or "stern," often referring to a person with a serious demeanor or temperament.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 5,895 Americans carry the last name Yen. That puts it at #6,671 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.72 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 58,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Yen surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
5.9K
1 in 58,143
Census rank
#6,671
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
5.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 5,066 bearers of the surname Yen in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.72 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 6671st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Yen, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 89.1%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.7%) and White (4.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Yen
The surname "Yen" is believed to have originated from the Chinese word "Yuan" or "Yuán", which means "source" or "origin". The name is thought to have first appeared in China during the Yuan Dynasty, which ruled from 1271 to 1368.
The Yuan Dynasty was established by Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, and was the first non-Chinese dynasty to rule over the whole of China. During this period, many non-Chinese people, including Mongols and other ethnic groups, settled in China and adopted Chinese surnames.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Yen" can be found in the "Yuan Shi" (History of the Yuan Dynasty), a historical record compiled during the Ming Dynasty. This work mentions several notable individuals with the surname "Yen" who served in the Yuan court or played significant roles during that era.
In the 14th century, a scholar named Yen Hui-ch'ing (1286-1356) was known for his expertise in Confucian philosophy and his contributions to the study of the Analects. Another prominent figure with the surname "Yen" was Yen Tzu-ch'ing (1293-1358), a renowned painter and calligrapher who served as an official in the Yuan court.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the surname "Yen" continued to be used by Chinese families. One notable individual from this period was Yen Sung (1480-1567), a renowned scholar and official who served as a Grand Secretary under the Jiajing Emperor.
In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the surname "Yen" was also found among Chinese families. One prominent figure with this surname was Yen Fu (1854-1921), a renowned scholar and translator who introduced Western works on philosophy, science, and economics to China.
Throughout history, the surname "Yen" has been associated with several notable individuals, including scholars, artists, and officials. While the name originated in China during the Yuan Dynasty, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Yen
Among Census respondents with the surname Yen, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 89.1%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.7%) and White (4.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Yen bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Yen surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander89.1%
- Two or more races4.7%
- White4.0%
- Hispanic or Latino1.7%
- Black or African American0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Yen surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #6,671 | #6,671 | 0.0% |
| Count | 5,066 | 5,066 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.72 | 1.72 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Yen bearers went from 5,066 to 5,066 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #6,671 to #6,671.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Yen
FAQ
Yen surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Yen?
The surname Yen holds position #6,671 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 5,895 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.72 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Yen surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Yen, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 89.1%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.7%) and White (4.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.