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

Banahene, 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 Banahene surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Banahene in America

Banahene is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Banahene surname appeared 100 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 Banahene.

The history of the last name Banahene

The surname BANAHENE originates from the Akan people of Ghana in West Africa. It is believed to have emerged around the 17th century during the establishment of the Ashanti Empire. The name is derived from the Akan words "bana" meaning "respected one" and "hene" meaning "chief" or "leader."

BANAHENE is closely linked to the Akan chieftaincy system, where the name was likely bestowed upon individuals who held positions of authority or demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. It is possible that the earliest bearers of this name were chiefs or elders within their respective communities.

Historical records from the Ashanti Empire, such as oral traditions and written accounts by European travelers and traders, may contain references to individuals bearing the BANAHENE surname or variations of it. However, due to the limited documentation from that era, specific details are scarce.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BANAHENE surname can be traced back to Nana Opoku Banahene, a prominent chief who lived in the late 17th century and played a significant role in the expansion of the Ashanti Empire. Nana Opoku Banahene is renowned for his strategic military campaigns and his contributions to the consolidation of Ashanti power in the region.

Another notable figure was Nana Yaa Banahene, a queen mother who lived in the early 19th century. She was respected for her wisdom and influence in the Ashanti court, and her counsel was sought by the Asantehene (the ruler of the Ashanti Empire) on matters of governance and cultural traditions.

In the late 19th century, Kwame Banahene was a renowned Akan linguist and scholar who contributed greatly to the preservation and documentation of the Akan language and cultural heritage. His works served as invaluable resources for future generations.

During the colonial era, Kofi Banahene was a prominent chief who actively resisted British occupation and fought to maintain the sovereignty of the Ashanti people. He led several uprisings against colonial forces and is remembered as a symbol of resistance and pride among the Akan people.

In more recent times, Kwasi Banahene was a distinguished Ghanaian academic and historian who specialized in the study of the Ashanti Empire and its cultural traditions. His extensive research and publications have shed light on the rich history and customs of the Akan people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Banahene

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

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

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

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