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

Yohannes, 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 Yohannes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yohannes in America

Yohannes is the 20468th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yohannes surname appeared 1,297 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 Yohannes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yohannes 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 Yohannes

The surname Yohannes has its roots in the region that is today known as Ethiopia and Eritrea, where it is a common and respected surname. The name is derived from the Ge'ez and Amharic form of the name John, which translates to "Yohannes" in the local languages. The name itself traces back to the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." This suggests deep religious and cultural significance, as the name was often associated with Christian contexts.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Yohannes likely appear in religious or royal chronicles, where naming conventions were heavily influenced by Christianity spreading through Abyssinia during the early centuries AD. Historical references to the name can be found in ancient texts, including religious manuscripts that date back to the time when Christianity was becoming deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture.

One historically significant figure who bore this surname was Yohannes I, who ruled Ethiopia as Emperor from 1667 to 1682. His reign is noted for attempts to unify the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and counter the growth of Catholicism in the region. His contribution to Ethiopian history underscores the prominence of the name during that period.

Another notable individual was Emperor Yohannes IV, who ruled from 1872 to 1889. He was an influential leader who defended Ethiopia against invasions and sought to modernize the country. His legacy is a testament to the surname's enduring legacy in Ethiopian history.

The surname Yohannes also appears in early written records such as letters and decrees during medieval times, providing insight into its widespread usage among nobility and clergy. These records sometimes highlight variations in spelling, such as Yohanis or Yohannis, reflecting the orthographic fluidity of the period.

Furthermore, Yohannes Haile-Selassie, a renowned paleoanthropologist born in 1961, has gained international recognition for his contributions to the study of human evolution. His work demonstrates the ongoing impact of individuals with this surname in academic and scientific fields.

Another key figure is Yohannes Gebregeorgis, born in 1950, an Ethiopian American librarian and writer who founded Ethiopia Reads, an organization dedicated to increasing literacy in Ethiopia by providing children with access to books. His efforts have earned him global recognition and numerous awards.

Lastly, Yohannes Zewdu, an Ethiopian long-distance runner born in 1947, has made significant contributions to sports, embodying the resilience and determination associated with the surname. His achievements in athletics provided inspiration for many in his home country.

In summary, the surname Yohannes is steeped in history, evolving from ancient roots and contributing to various fields including royalty, religion, academia, and athletics. It remains a prominent and respected name, particularly within Ethiopian culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yohannes

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

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

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

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