Shen — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Asian origin Rank #2,806 in the US 12,839 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#2,806
▲ Up 884 since 2000
People in the US
12,839
4.35 per 100K people
Origin
Asian
Asian

Origin & Meaning of the Shen Surname

What does the last name Shen mean?

The surname Shen carries the meaning "Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin." It is derived from the Asian language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 12,839 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Shen ranks as the #2,806 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Shen come from?

The Shen surname has its roots in Asian heritage. Names of Asian 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 Shen name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

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

Asian Asian

Quick Facts

Surname Shen
Meaning Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin
Origin Asian
Language Asian
US Rank (2010) #2,806
US Count (2010) 12,839
Per 100K People 4.35
First Letter S

Ethnic Distribution of Shen

According to the US Census, the Shen surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 12,839 Americans with the Shen last name.

White 3.49%
Black 0.32%
Hispanic 0.65%
Asian/PI 93.77%
Native American 0.07%
Two+ Races 1.7%
Ethnic distribution of the Shen surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White3.49%
Black0.32%
Hispanic0.65%
Asian/Pacific Islander93.77%
Native American0.07%
Two or More Races1.7%

Popularity of Shen Over Time

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

Census 2000
#3,690
8,832 people
Up 884
Census 2010
#2,806
12,839 people

The number of Americans with the Shen surname increased by 4,007 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Shen Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Shen

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

Other Asian Surnames

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Shen

The surname Shen is of Asian origin. Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin
The surname Shen is ranked #2,806 in the United States with approximately 12,839 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Family name of Asian or Pacific Islander origin. The name has Asian roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Shen surname is distributed as: 93.8% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Shen 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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