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

Adewale, 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 Adewale surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Adewale in America

Adewale is the 65964th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Adewale surname appeared 300 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 Adewale.

We can also compare 2010 data for Adewale 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 Adewale

The surname Adewale originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It has its roots in the Yoruba language, where "Ade" means "crown" or "royalty," and "Wale" translates to "come home." Together, the name can be interpreted as "the crown has returned home" or "the royalty has come back."

The earliest recorded instances of the name Adewale can be traced back to the 16th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire in present-day Nigeria. It is believed that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who held prestigious positions or descended from noble lineages within the empire.

One of the earliest known figures with the surname Adewale was Adewale Akintoye, a prominent warrior and military leader who played a crucial role in the expansion of the Oyo Empire during the late 16th century. His exploits and valor on the battlefield earned him a revered status among his people, and his name became synonymous with bravery and leadership.

In the 18th century, the name Adewale gained further prominence when it was adopted by members of the Ogboni society, a powerful and influential organization within the Yoruba community. The Ogboni society was responsible for upholding traditional values, administering justice, and overseeing important cultural ceremonies.

Among the notable figures from this period was Adewale Olowu, a highly respected Ogboni leader and advisor to the Alaafin (king) of Oyo. His wisdom and diplomatic skills were instrumental in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace within the empire.

During the 19th century, the name Adewale transcended its regional boundaries and gained recognition throughout West Africa. One such individual was Adewale Ajayi, a prominent merchant and trader who established trade routes across the region, facilitating the exchange of goods and cultural ideas.

Another notable figure was Adewale Ogunbiyi, a renowned scholar and educator who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Yoruba culture and language. His contributions to the field of education and his efforts in establishing schools and educational institutions have left a lasting impact on generations of Yoruba people.

In the 20th century, the name Adewale continued to be associated with individuals who made significant contributions to various fields. Adewale Akinsanya, a celebrated writer and playwright, used his literary works to explore and celebrate Yoruba traditions and customs, thereby preserving them for future generations.

These are just a few examples of the individuals who have carried the surname Adewale throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and societal fabric of the Yoruba people and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Adewale

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

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

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

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