Explore the Family Name Leppanen
The meaning of Leppanen
Finnish (Leppänen): from leppä ‘alder tree’ + the surname suffix -nen. Recorded as a hereditary surname (based on placenames containing the word leppä) in eastern Finland since the 17th century. Adopted as an ornamental surname in the late 19th century in Satakunta, Tavastia, and central Finland primarily by Finns without surnames (compare Virtanen). In some cases also a habitational name from farms so named in western and central Finland since 19th century. In the US, it has sometimes been translated into English as Alder. Some characteristic forenames: Finnish Runo, Wilho, Reino, Eino, Ilkka, Kauko, Wiljo. Scandinavian Einer, Erik, Lasse.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Leppanen in the United States?
The surname Leppanen was ranked 49,767 in popularity in the year 2000 and dropped to a rank of 55,619 by 2010, indicating an 11.76% decrease according to the Decennial U.S. Census. The count of people with this surname also fell from 396 in 2000 to 369 in 2010, reflecting a 6.82% decline. Consequently, the proportion of individuals in the U.S. with this surname per 100k people dropped by 13.33% over the same period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #49,767 | #55,619 | -11.76% |
| Count | 396 | 369 | -6.82% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.15 | 0.13 | -13.33% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Leppanen
In terms of ethnic identity, the majority of individuals with the surname Leppanen are identified as White, with percentages increasing slightly from 96.46% in 2000 to 97.83% in 2010 based on the Decennial U.S. Census. There was a small percentage (1.52% in 2000 and 1.36% in 2010) that identified as belonging to two or more races, showing a slight decrease over the decade. No individuals with this surname identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.46% | 97.83% | 1.42% |
| Two or More Races | 1.52% | 1.36% | -10.53% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 1.26% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |