Find out how popular the last name Adamu is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Adamu.

Adamu, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Adamu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Adamu in America

Adamu is the 82317th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Adamu surname appeared 229 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Adamu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Adamu to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Adamu

The surname ADAMU has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the regions of modern-day Nigeria and Niger. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century or earlier, derived from the Arabic name "Adam," which means "made from the earth" or "the first human being."

ADAMU is a common surname among the Hausa people, one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, concentrated primarily in northern Nigeria and southern Niger. The Hausa language, which is spoken by millions of people in the region, has played a significant role in the spread and adoption of this surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ADAMU surname can be found in the written accounts of the Hausa Kingdoms, which flourished in the region between the 15th and 19th centuries. These accounts, which often detailed the lives and exploits of rulers and prominent individuals, mention several notable figures bearing the ADAMU surname.

In the 16th century, a Hausa scholar and writer named Muhammed Adamu Iya Abubakar, also known as Adamu Iya, gained recognition for his contributions to the literary and intellectual traditions of the Hausa people. His works, which covered topics ranging from history to religion, played a significant role in preserving and disseminating Hausa culture.

Another notable figure with the ADAMU surname was Amina Adamu, a Hausa warrior queen who ruled the powerful Zazzau Kingdom (now part of Kaduna State, Nigeria) in the late 16th century. Her military campaigns and strategic leadership are celebrated in Hausa folklore and oral traditions, making her a legendary figure in West African history.

In the 19th century, the ADAMU surname gained further prominence with the rise of the Sokoto Caliphate, a powerful Islamic empire that dominated much of present-day northern Nigeria and neighboring regions. One of the most influential figures of this era was Usman dan Fodio, a Fulani scholar and reformer who led a successful jihad against the Hausa rulers. Among his close companions was Abdullahi Adamu, a scholar and writer who played a crucial role in shaping the intellectual and religious foundations of the Caliphate.

As the Hausa people and their influence spread across West Africa, the ADAMU surname also gained a foothold in other regions, such as Ghana, Benin, and Cameroon, where it has been adopted by various ethnic groups and communities.

Throughout history, the ADAMU surname has been associated with scholars, writers, rulers, and influential figures within the Hausa cultural sphere. Its enduring presence in West Africa reflects the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of this region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Adamu

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Adamu.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Adamu was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Adamu has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Adamu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Adamu, please contact us.

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