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

Akoi, 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 Akoi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Akoi in America

Akoi is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Akoi surname appeared 127 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 Akoi.

The history of the last name Akoi

The surname AKOI is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the region now known as Ghana. It is thought to have emerged sometime during the 15th or 16th century, though its precise origins are difficult to pinpoint due to the scarcity of written records from that era.

According to some linguistic experts, AKOI may be derived from the Akan language spoken by the Ashanti and Fante peoples of Ghana. The word "akoi" is said to mean "brave" or "courageous" in Akan, suggesting that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who displayed such qualities.

One of the earliest known references to the surname AKOI can be found in the diaries of Portuguese traders who visited the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) in the late 16th century. These accounts mention encounters with local leaders and traders bearing the name, indicating its presence in the region at that time.

In the 17th century, there are records of an AKOI family residing in the coastal town of Elmina, which was a major trading post for European merchants. This family is believed to have been involved in the lucrative gold and ivory trade, which brought them significant wealth and influence.

During the 18th century, an AKOI named Kwaku (born around 1720) gained prominence as a skilled negotiator and diplomat. He played a crucial role in mediating disputes between the British and Dutch colonial powers, as well as local Akan chieftains.

Another notable figure with the surname AKOI was Ama (1790-1865), a powerful queen mother who wielded considerable political influence in the Ashanti Empire. She was renowned for her strategic acumen and her ability to navigate the complex power dynamics of the era.

In the 19th century, the AKOI name gained wider recognition with the advent of written records and historical accounts. One such individual was Kwame AKOI (1825-1890), a respected elder and advisor to the Ashanti king Prempeh I.

As the AKOI surname spread beyond Ghana, it also found its way into other West African countries, such as Nigeria and Sierra Leone, where variations of the name emerged, reflecting local linguistic and cultural influences.

Throughout its history, the surname AKOI has been associated with various professions, from traders and diplomats to educators and community leaders, reflecting the diverse paths taken by those who bear this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Akoi

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

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

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

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