Yen
Every Yen since 1975 — 611 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Yen
Yen is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1975, 611 American babies have been named Yen — about 92% girls and 8% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1982, when 33 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Yen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Yen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | #17,671 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #17,431 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | 5 | #14,056 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | 7 | #14,274 | — | — |
| 2015 | 7 | #14,437 | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #16,443 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | 6 | #16,776 | — | — |
| 2011 | 14 | #8,600 | — | — |
| 2010 | 12 | #9,762 | — | — |
| 2009 | 11 | #10,651 | — | — |
| 2008 | 14 | #8,950 | — | — |
| 2007 | 10 | #11,602 | — | — |
| 2006 | 12 | #9,893 | — | — |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,808 | 5 | #13,315 |
| 2004 | 11 | #9,873 | — | — |
| 2003 | 10 | #10,407 | 5 | #12,716 |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | 10 | #10,085 | — | — |
| 2000 | 13 | #8,021 | — | — |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,753 | — | — |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,487 | 7 | #7,168 |
| 1985 | 32 | #2,935 | — | — |
| 1980 | 19 | #4,143 | — | — |
| 1975 | 5 | #10,599 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Yen
- Yen Chia-kan Politician · 1905–1993
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Yen in 2025?
Yen did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Yen?
611 babies have been named Yen in the United States since 1975, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Yen most popular?
Yen peaked in 1982, when 33 newborns received the name.
Is Yen a boy or girl name?
Yen is used for both: about 92% of babies named Yen have been girls and 8% boys.
Is the name Yen rising or falling?
Yen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Yen?
Well-known people named Yen include Yen Chia-kan (politician).