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

Ajao, 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 Ajao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ajao in America

Ajao is the 93125th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ajao surname appeared 197 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 Ajao.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ajao 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 Ajao

The surname Ajao is of Yoruba origin, with its roots traced back to the southwestern region of Nigeria. It is derived from the Yoruba word "aja," which means "warrior" or "brave one." The name is believed to have originated during the turbulent times of the Yoruba wars and conflicts in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The earliest recorded instances of the Ajao surname can be found in historical records and documents from the Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba kingdom that ruled over much of present-day southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin Republic during the 17th and 18th centuries. The name was often given to individuals who displayed exceptional bravery and valor in battle or those who held prominent military positions within the empire.

One of the earliest notable figures with the Ajao surname was Ajao Ogunbona, a renowned Yoruba military leader and warrior who lived in the late 17th century. He was celebrated for his strategic prowess and his heroic exploits in defending the Oyo Empire against rival kingdoms and invading forces.

In the 18th century, the name Ajao gained further prominence with the rise of Ajao Oluyole, a powerful Alaafin (king) of the Oyo Empire. His reign, which spanned from 1754 to 1789, was marked by military conquests and the expansion of the empire's territories. The town of Ibadan, now a major city in southwestern Nigeria, was founded during his rule and named after one of his war chiefs, Ibikunle.

Another significant figure in Yoruba history who bore the Ajao surname was Ajao Akamo, a prominent Ifa priest and spiritual leader in the late 18th century. He was revered for his deep knowledge of the Ifa divination system and his contributions to the preservation of Yoruba cultural traditions.

In the 19th century, the name Ajao gained further recognition with the exploits of Ajao Omolade, a fearless Yoruba warrior who played a crucial role in the Yoruba wars against the Fulani invaders. His bravery and leadership during these conflicts earned him a reputation as one of the greatest military strategists of his time.

Throughout history, the Ajao surname has been associated with individuals who embodied the qualities of bravery, leadership, and a warrior spirit. The name holds a significant place in Yoruba culture and history, serving as a reminder of the courage and resilience of the Yoruba people in the face of adversity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ajao

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

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

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

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