In Denmark, “Jensen” is among the top three Danish surnames that have been around for over 100 years, alongside “Nielsen” and “Hansen”. However, in a recent study by Statistics Denmark, the prevalence of these classic Danish surnames ending in -sen, has decreased from 61% to 43% over the past 30 years. The surge in -sen surnames started in 1826 when the Names Act mandated fixed surnames for everyone. But over time, changes in marriage laws and a 2006 law that allows one to use their middle name as a surname contributed to the decline in -sen surnames. Despite the decline, researchers believe -sen surnames will not disappear entirely.
