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

Ayeni, 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 Ayeni surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ayeni in America

Ayeni is the 44872nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ayeni surname appeared 478 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 Ayeni.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ayeni 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 Ayeni

The surname "AYENI" is of Nigerian origin, with its roots traceable to the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. The earliest known usage of this name dates back to the 14th century, during the height of the renowned Oyo Empire.

The name "AYENI" is believed to have derived from the Yoruba word "ayen," which translates to "wealth" or "prosperity." This suggests that the surname may have initially been bestowed upon individuals or families who achieved significant economic success or held positions of prominence within their communities.

Historical records from the Oyo Empire mention several notable figures bearing the "AYENI" surname. One such individual was Oba Ayeni Ogunmola, a revered ruler who reigned over the Oyo Kingdom in the late 16th century, renowned for his military prowess and effective governance.

Another prominent figure was Ayeni Abimbola, a celebrated poet and playwright from the 18th century, whose works played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Yoruba cultural traditions and oral literature.

In the 19th century, the name "AYENI" gained further recognition through the accomplishments of Ayeni Olowu, a skilled diplomat and negotiator who facilitated peaceful relations between the Oyo Empire and neighboring kingdoms, contributing to the region's stability and economic prosperity.

The "AYENI" surname has also been linked to various place names within southwestern Nigeria, such as Ayen-Ife and Ayen-Odo, further reinforcing its Yoruba origins and geographical associations.

Throughout history, several other notable individuals have borne the "AYENI" surname, including:

1. Ayeni Akinkunmi (1886-1962), a prominent Nigerian educator and social reformer who advocated for women's rights and educational opportunities.
2. Ayeni Olayinka (1938-2010), a renowned Nigerian artist and sculptor, known for his intricate wood carvings and bronze sculptures depicting traditional Yoruba themes.
3. Ayeni Abiodun (1949-present), a distinguished Nigerian academic and author, whose research has focused on African literature and cultural studies.
4. Ayeni Oluwole (1969-present), a celebrated Nigerian musician and composer, renowned for his fusion of traditional Yoruba rhythms with contemporary styles.
5. Ayeni Olamide (1985-present), a successful Nigerian entrepreneur and business leader, recognized for her innovative approach to sustainable development initiatives.

The "AYENI" surname continues to hold significance within the Yoruba community and beyond, serving as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and historical legacy of southwestern Nigeria.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ayeni

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

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

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

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