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

Yirenkyi, 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 Yirenkyi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yirenkyi in America

Yirenkyi is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yirenkyi surname appeared 105 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 Yirenkyi.

The history of the last name Yirenkyi

The surname Yirenkyi traces its origins to the West African country of Ghana, an area with a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. It is most commonly found among the Akan people, a major ethnic group in Ghana. The etymology of Yirenkyi comes from the Akan language, where "Yiren" relates to "to hear" or "to listen," and "Kyi" translates to "to hate" or "to despise." Together, the name can be interpreted as "one who listens and avoids wrong," reflecting a moral or ethical stance within the community.

Historically, the Akan people have a tradition of names that are often reflective of qualities, virtues, or significant events surrounding one's birth or life. The name Yirenkyi appears in oral histories and stories passed down through generations, but there are limited written records due to the oral-centric culture of the Akan people. There are no known appearances in manuscripts comparable to Europe’s Domesday Book, but the name has been recorded in colonial documents by the British during the 19th century when Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, was under colonial rule.

The earliest recorded example of the name Yirenkyi can be traced back to the late 18th century, when a man named Kojo Yirenkyi was mentioned in local chieftaincy records. The Akan people maintained meticulous records of their leaders, and Kojo Yirenkyi was noted as a significant figure in his community, involved in trade and local governance.

Over time, the name Yirenkyi has been carried by several notable individuals. One such person is Akwasi Yirenkyi, born in 1820, who was a respected craftsman known for his intricate gold jewelry that became symbolic of Akan culture. Another prominent figure is Akosua Yirenkyi, born in 1875, who played a crucial role in advocating for women's rights within the traditional societal framework of her time.

In the 20th century, the name continued to be prominent through figures like Kwame Yirenkyi, a notable leader in the independence movement of Ghana, born in 1923. His efforts contributed to the eventual independence of Ghana from British colonial rule in 1957. Another significant individual is Abena Yirenkyi, born in 1949, who became a renowned literacy advocate and contributed to educational reforms in post-independence Ghana.

In more recent history, the name has been associated with individuals in various professional fields, adding to its rich legacy. For example, Nana Yirenkyi, born in 1965, made significant contributions to traditional medicine and was frequently consulted by both locals and researchers interested in indigenous healing practices.

The surname Yirenkyi encapsulates a lineage of individuals who have significantly impacted their communities through leadership, craftsmanship, advocacy, and education, echoing the interpretative meaning of a listener and moral guide within the Akan tradition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yirenkyi

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

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 Yirenkyi 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.

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

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

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