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

Adapa, 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 Adapa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Adapa in America

Adapa is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Adapa surname appeared 111 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 Adapa.

The history of the last name Adapa

The surname Adapa has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the region that is now modern-day Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged sometime in the 15th or 16th century, during the height of the powerful Benin Empire.

Adapa is derived from the Yoruba language, one of the most widely spoken languages in West Africa. The name is thought to be a combination of two words: "ada," meaning "hunter," and "pa," meaning "skilled" or "proficient." Together, these words suggest that the name Adapa originally referred to someone who was an accomplished or skilled hunter.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Adapa date back to the 17th century, when it appeared in various records and manuscripts from the Benin Empire. One notable example is the mention of an Adapa in the royal court of Oba Ewuakpe, who ruled the Benin Empire from 1660 to 1690.

Throughout the centuries, the name Adapa has been associated with several notable figures, including:

1. Adapa Idogwu (c. 1750 - 1820), a renowned Yoruba warrior and military strategist who played a crucial role in defending the Oyo Empire against invading forces.
2. Adapa Ogunbiyi (1823 - 1901), a respected Yoruba chief and diplomat who facilitated trade relations between the Oyo Empire and European merchants.
3. Adapa Oshun (1880 - 1946), a celebrated Yoruba artist and sculptor, renowned for his intricate wood carvings and masks.
4. Adapa Ogunlesi (1923 - 2003), a pioneering Nigerian academic and educator who played a significant role in shaping the country's education system after independence.
5. Adapa Nwaubani (1936 - 2009), a prominent Nigerian novelist and playwright, known for his works that explored themes of cultural identity and social injustice.

The name Adapa has also been linked to various place names within Nigeria, such as Adapa Village in Ogun State, and Adapa Town in Osun State. These locations may have been named after individuals bearing the Adapa surname or may have served as the ancestral homelands of families with this name.

While the surname Adapa has its roots in West Africa, it has since spread to other parts of the world, carried by individuals and families of Nigerian descent. However, its rich history and cultural significance remain deeply rooted in the traditions and language of the Yoruba people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Adapa

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

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 Adapa 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.

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 Adapa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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