Cohen — Last Name Origin & Meaning

European origin Rank #351 in the US 89,091 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#351
▼ Down 31 since 2000
People in the US
89,091
30.2 per 100K people
Origin
European
European

Origin & Meaning of the Cohen Surname

What does the last name Cohen mean?

The surname Cohen carries the meaning "Family name of European origin." It is derived from the European language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 89,091 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Cohen ranks as the #351 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Cohen come from?

The Cohen surname has its roots in European heritage. Names of European origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Cohen name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Cohen trace back to European. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

European European

Quick Facts

Surname Cohen
Meaning Family name of European origin
Origin European
Language European
US Rank (2010) #351
US Count (2010) 89,091
Per 100K People 30.2
First Letter C

Ethnic Distribution of Cohen

According to the US Census, the Cohen surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 89,091 Americans with the Cohen last name.

White 88.89%
Black 5.97%
Hispanic 3.29%
Asian/PI 0.66%
Native American 0.11%
Two+ Races 1.08%
Ethnic distribution of the Cohen surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White88.89%
Black5.97%
Hispanic3.29%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.66%
Native American0.11%
Two or More Races1.08%

Popularity of Cohen Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Cohen surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#320
87,226 people
Down 31
Census 2010
#351
89,091 people

The number of Americans with the Cohen surname increased by 1,865 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Cohen Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Cohen ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Cohen

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cohen.

Other European Surnames

Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Cohen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cohen

The surname Cohen is of European origin. Family name of European origin
The surname Cohen is ranked #351 in the United States with approximately 89,091 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Family name of European origin. The name has European roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Cohen surname is distributed as: 88.9% White, 6.0% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Cohen ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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