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

Addo, 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 Addo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Addo in America

Addo is the 20617th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Addo surname appeared 1,285 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 Addo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Addo 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 Addo

The surname Addo has its origins in the West African nation of Ghana, and it dates back to the 15th century. It is a surname that was primarily found among the Ewe people, who inhabited the southeastern regions of what is now modern-day Ghana. The name is believed to have derived from the Ewe word "addo," which means "clan" or "family."

In the earliest recorded instances, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Addo," "Adoh," and "Adoe," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. One of the earliest written records of the name can be found in a 16th-century manuscript documenting the lineages of prominent Ewe families.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, as the transatlantic slave trade gained momentum, many individuals bearing the surname Addo were forcibly transported from their homeland to the Americas. Consequently, the name began to appear in historical records of the Caribbean and the United States, often with variations in spelling due to the challenges of transcribing African names into European languages.

One notable figure who bore the surname Addo was Kwame Addo, a prominent Ewe chief who lived in the late 18th century. He played a pivotal role in negotiating trade agreements between the Ewe people and European merchants, and his name is documented in several historical accounts of the time.

In the 19th century, a prominent Ghanaian scholar and educator named John Addo made significant contributions to the advancement of education in the region. Born in 1845, he established several schools and advocated for the importance of education, particularly for women and girls.

Another individual of historical significance was Kwasi Addo, a skilled craftsman and woodcarver who lived in the early 20th century. His intricate wooden sculptures and carvings are now displayed in various museums and art galleries, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Ewe people.

During the 20th century, the name Addo gained further recognition internationally. One notable figure was Kofi Addo, a Ghanaian diplomat who served as his country's ambassador to the United Nations in the 1960s. He played a crucial role in promoting Ghana's interests on the global stage and advocating for the cause of African independence and unity.

Another prominent individual bearing the surname Addo was Ama Addo, a renowned Ghanaian writer and activist. Born in 1932, she used her literary works to shed light on social issues and the experiences of women in Ghana. Her novels and short stories have been widely acclaimed and translated into several languages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Addo

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

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

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

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