Explore the Family Name Gebreselassie

The meaning of Gebreselassie

Ethiopian (also Gebre Selassie): from the personal name Gebre Selassie, having the Christian religious meaning ‘servant of the Holy Trinity’ (see Gebre). — Note: Since Ethiopians do not have hereditary surnames, this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Gebreselassie in the United States?

Based on the data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Gebreselassie saw a significant increase between the years 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 111,119 in terms of popularity, but by 2010 it had climbed to rank 62,714, marking an impressive 43.56% surge. This trend is further reflected in the count of individuals bearing this surname, which grew from 147 in 2000 to 319 in 2010, a remarkable increase of 117.01%. The proportion per 100,000 also rose markedly during this period, surging from 0.05 to 0.11, indicating a growth rate of 120%.

20002010Change
Rank#111,119#62,71443.56%
Count147319117.01%
Proportion per 100k0.050.11120%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Gebreselassie

In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates that the majority of individuals with the surname Gebreselassie identified as Black. In 2000, approximately 84.35% of Gebreselassies identified as such, and this percentage rose to 97.81% in 2010, showing an increase of 15.96%. Interestingly, in 2000, about 11.56% of those with this surname identified as being of two or more races, but this figure dropped to zero by 2010. The census recorded no individuals with the surname Gebreselassie identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, White, Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.

20002010Change
Black84.35%97.81%15.96%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
Two or More Races11.56%0%0%
White0%0%0%
Hispanic0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%