UK girl's name
Yen
A Vietnamese feminine name literally meaning "peace" or "tranquility".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Yen is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Yen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Yen. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Yen ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 girls were registered as Yen.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Yen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Yen mean?
The name Yen originates from the Chinese language and has its roots in the ancient Chinese culture. It is believed to have derived from the Chinese word "yuán," which means "source" or "origin." The name's earliest recorded use dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC - 256 BC) in ancient China.
During the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), the name Yen gained popularity among the Chinese nobility and scholars. It was often associated with individuals who were considered intellectuals or philosophers. One notable figure from this period was Yen Hui, a prominent philosopher and devoted student of Confucius.
In ancient Chinese literature, the name Yen appeared in various philosophical and historical texts, including the Analects of Confucius. This further solidified its reputation as a name associated with wisdom and scholarly pursuits.
As the Chinese culture spread across Asia, the name Yen also found its way into other regions, such as Japan and Korea. In Japan, the name was transcribed as "En," and it maintained a similar meaning of "source" or "origin."
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Yen. One of the earliest recorded figures was Yen Huan (fl. 715-785 AD), a renowned Chinese calligrapher and poet during the Tang Dynasty. Another prominent individual was Yen Ying (c. 574-645 AD), a high-ranking minister and chancellor during the Tang Dynasty.
In more recent times, Yen Fu (1854-1921) was a prominent Chinese scholar and translator who introduced Western philosophical works to China. He played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural renaissance of the late Qing Dynasty.
Yen Hsi-shan (1883-1949) was a Chinese warlord and military leader who controlled the Shanxi province during the early 20th century. He played a crucial role in the complex political dynamics of that era.
Yen Baet (1920-2012) was a renowned Dutch artist and sculptor known for his abstract and minimalist works. His contributions to the art world spanned several decades, and he gained international recognition for his unique style.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Yen over time
The chart below shows babies named Yen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Yen, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Yen by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Yen was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3587 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3810 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Yen
- Yasmin 10,052
- Yusra 2,725
- Yasmine 2,474
- Yara 1,487
- Yazmin 806
- Yumna 601
- Yasmeen 527
- Yasmina 518
- Yasemin 513
- Yana 452
- Yvie 377
- Yvonne 368
FAQ
Yen: questions and answers
How popular is the name Yen in the UK right now?
In 2016, Yen was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Yen most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Yen in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Yen?
A Vietnamese feminine name literally meaning "peace" or "tranquility".
How many people are called Yen in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Yen across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.