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

Badji, 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 Badji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Badji in America

Badji is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Badji surname appeared 116 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 Badji.

The history of the last name Badji

The surname "BADJI" has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the coastal regions of Senegal and Gambia. It is believed to have emerged sometime around the 16th or 17th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Wolof language, which is widely spoken in these areas. The word "badji" in Wolof translates to "hunter" or "warrior," suggesting that the name may have initially been given to individuals with skills or occupations related to hunting or warfare.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "BADJI" can be found in the writings of French explorer and ethnographer Michel Adanson, who documented his travels in Senegal during the mid-18th century. Adanson's works provide valuable insights into the cultural and linguistic landscape of the region during that time period, and the presence of the name "BADJI" in his writings suggests it was already well-established among certain communities.

In the 19th century, the name "BADJI" appears in various historical records and documents related to the region, including colonial administrative records and local chronicles. One notable individual bearing this surname was Badji Seck (1830-1891), a prominent Wolof chief and resistance leader who fought against French colonial expansion in the area now known as Senegal.

As trade and migration patterns evolved, individuals with the surname "BADJI" began to spread across West Africa and beyond. In the early 20th century, Abdoulaye Badji (1914-1994), a Senegalese politician and diplomat, gained prominence for his role in the country's independence movement and subsequent diplomatic efforts.

Another well-known figure with the surname "BADJI" is Mamadou Badji (born 1949), a Senegalese sculptor and artist whose works have been exhibited internationally and are renowned for their representation of African culture and traditions.

Over time, the surname "BADJI" has also been associated with various place names and locations in Senegal and Gambia, such as the village of Badji in the Louga region of Senegal and the Badji River in Gambia.

While the surname "BADJI" is most prevalent in Senegal and Gambia, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and history rooted in the traditions of West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Badji

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

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

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

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