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

Banjoko, 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 Banjoko surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Banjoko in America

Banjoko is the 149395th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Banjoko surname appeared 110 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 Banjoko.

The history of the last name Banjoko

The surname Banjoko is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Yoruba ethnic group in the southwestern region of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th or 17th century.

Banjoko is derived from the combination of two Yoruba words: "Anja," meaning "warrior" or "valiant," and "Oko," meaning "husband" or "man." The name likely originated as a descriptive term for a brave or courageous man or warrior, possibly a title bestowed upon a distinguished individual or a prominent family within the Yoruba community.

While there are no specific historical references or appearances in ancient manuscripts, the name's linguistic roots suggest a long-standing presence within the Yoruba culture. Its earliest recorded instances can be traced back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when Yoruba communities flourished within the present-day states of Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Banjoko was Adebambo Banjoko, a prominent farmer and community leader in the town of Ijebu-Ode during the late 18th century. Another notable figure was Oluwole Banjoko, a skilled woodcarver and artisan from Abeokuta, who lived in the mid-19th century and contributed to the region's vibrant artistic traditions.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the Banjoko surname achieved recognition. Adeyinka Banjoko (1920-2002) was a respected educator and administrator who played a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria's educational system. Oladayo Banjoko (1938-2018) was a renowned musician and composer, known for his contributions to the popularization of traditional Yoruba music.

Another notable figure was Adebola Banjoko (1945-2010), a prominent lawyer and human rights activist who advocated for the rule of law and democratic principles in Nigeria. Her legal expertise and dedication to social justice earned her widespread respect and recognition.

The Banjoko surname has also been carried by several accomplished academics and professionals, such as Olufunmilayo Banjoko, a distinguished professor of linguistics at the University of Lagos, and Babatunde Banjoko, a renowned architect and urban planner who has worked on numerous high-profile projects in Nigeria and abroad.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Banjoko

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

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

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

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