Explore the Family Name Beyene
The meaning of Beyene
Ethiopian and Eritrean: from the personal name Beyene, which is interpreted as e.g. ‘he resolved’ in the Amharic and Tigrinya languages. — Note: Since Ethiopians and Eritreans do not have hereditary surnames, this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US. Some characteristic forenames: Ethiopian/Eritrean Mulugeta, Abeba, Debebe, Tekle, Abebe, Abebech, Abera, Abraha, Alem, Berhane, Dawit, Desta, Tarek.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Beyene in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Beyene has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past decade. In 2000, Beyene ranked 40,203 in terms of popularity and was held by 513 individuals, representing a proportion of 0.19 per 100,000 people. However, by 2010, it had jumped to rank 22,673, with 1,131 people carrying the name — a remarkable increase of 120.47 percent. The proportion per 100,000 also doubled from 0.19 to 0.38.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #40,203 | #22,673 | 43.6% |
| Count | 513 | 1,131 | 120.47% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.19 | 0.38 | 100% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Beyene
The data from the Decennial U.S. Census also provides intriguing insights into the ethnic identity associated with the surname Beyene. In 2000, 85.96 percent of those with the Beyene surname identified as Black, and this percentage rose to 95.84 percent by 2010. The figures for those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native were suppressed for privacy reasons. There was a small but notable increase in those identifying as Hispanic, from 0 percent in 2000 to 0.53 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, the percentage of individuals identifying with two or more races decreased significantly from 10.53 percent to 1.24 percent. This data indicates a strengthening association between the Beyene surname and Black ethnicity over the period in question.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 85.96% | 95.84% | 11.49% |
| White | 2.34% | 1.77% | -24.36% |
| Two or More Races | 10.53% | 1.24% | -88.22% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0.53% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.17% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |