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

Akinwale, 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 Akinwale surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Akinwale in America

Akinwale is the 118853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Akinwale surname appeared 146 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 Akinwale.

The history of the last name Akinwale

The surname "AKINWALE" originated from the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Yoruba words: "Akin," meaning "bravery" or "valor," and "wale," meaning "wealth" or "affluence." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "brave wealth" or "brave and wealthy."

This surname can be traced back to the 15th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire, which ruled over a vast territory in present-day southwestern Nigeria. The Oyo Empire was known for its powerful military forces and rich cultural heritage, and it is likely that the name "AKINWALE" was bestowed upon individuals who displayed bravery in battle or achieved great wealth and prosperity.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name "AKINWALE" appears in the "Itan Oyo," a historical account of the Oyo Empire written in the 17th century. The text mentions an influential figure named Akinwale Ajayi, who was a prominent military leader and advisor to the Alafin (king) of Oyo during the mid-16th century.

In the 18th century, the name "AKINWALE" gained further prominence with the rise of Akinwale Ogundiran, a successful trader and merchant who amassed a considerable fortune through his business ventures. Ogundiran was also known for his philanthropic efforts, establishing several schools and community centers in his hometown of Ibadan.

Another notable figure with the surname "AKINWALE" was Akinwale Aguda, a renowned scholar and historian who lived in the late 19th century. Aguda wrote extensively on the history and culture of the Yoruba people, contributing to the preservation of their rich heritage.

In the 20th century, Akinwale Adesokan, a prominent Nigerian politician and statesman, played a significant role in the country's independence movement. Adesokan served as a member of the Nigerian Constituent Assembly and was instrumental in drafting the country's first constitution.

Akinwale Oluwole, a celebrated Nigerian artist and sculptor, was also born in the 20th century. Oluwole's works, which often depicted traditional Yoruba themes and motifs, gained international recognition and can be found in various museums and galleries around the world.

The surname "AKINWALE" continues to be widely used among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and their descendants around the globe, carrying with it a rich historical legacy and cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Akinwale

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

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

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

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