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

Ayodeji, 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 Ayodeji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ayodeji in America

Ayodeji is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ayodeji surname appeared 111 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 Ayodeji.

The history of the last name Ayodeji

The surname Ayodeji originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It can be traced back to the late 15th century, when the Yoruba kingdoms were at their peak. The name is derived from the Yoruba words "ayo" meaning joy, and "deji" meaning wakes or rises, essentially translating to "joy wakes or rises".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ayodeji is found in the oral traditions of the Oyo Empire, referring to a brave warrior who fought in the famous Battle of Gbadamu in 1551. This battle was a pivotal point in the expansion of the Oyo Empire and the warrior's bravery brought joy to his people, leading to the moniker Ayodeji.

In the 17th century, the name Ayodeji is mentioned in the written records of the Benin Empire, referring to a renowned diplomat who facilitated trade agreements between the Benin and Oyo kingdoms. His diplomatic efforts were said to have brought joy to both kingdoms, cementing the meaning of his name.

During the 18th century, the name Ayodeji appeared in the genealogical records of the Ijebu Kingdom, which was a prominent Yoruba sub-group. One notable bearer of the name was Ayodeji Oloko (1725-1789), a respected chief and advisor to the Ijebu Awujale (king).

As the Yoruba diaspora spread across West Africa and beyond, the name Ayodeji traveled with them. In the late 19th century, records show an Ayodeji Babatunde (1867-1942), a successful merchant and community leader in the Free Town of Sierra Leone, which had a large population of liberated Yoruba people.

Another significant figure was Ayodeji Awoliyi (1903-1981), a pioneering educator and author from Abeokuta, Nigeria. He wrote several books on Yoruba culture and language, helping to preserve and promote the rich heritage of his people.

Throughout history, the surname Ayodeji has carried the essence of joy and resilience, reflecting the spirit of the Yoruba people from whom it originated. While the name has spread across the globe, it remains deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of southwestern Nigeria.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ayodeji

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

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

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

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