Bojang last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Bojang

A Gambian surname likely derived from the Mandinka root "bo" meaning "teacher" or "leader".

Bojang, 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 Bojang surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bojang in America

Bojang is the 84136th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bojang surname appeared 223 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 Bojang.

The history of the last name Bojang

The surname BOJANG originated from the West African country of Gambia, with its roots tracing back to the early 18th century. It is believed to have derived from the Mandinka word "bojang," which translates to "one who makes or sells knives." This suggests that the name's earliest bearers were likely skilled blacksmiths or traders specializing in bladed weaponry and tools.

Historical records indicate that the name BOJANG first appeared in written documents during the late 1700s, primarily in regional censuses and village registries maintained by British colonial authorities in the Gambian hinterlands. One of the earliest known mentions of the name can be found in a 1782 tax register from the town of Brikama, where a certain Alagie BOJANG is listed as a landowner and tradesman.

As the centuries progressed, the BOJANG name gradually spread across Gambia and neighboring regions of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, carried by families engaged in various occupations, from farming and fishing to commerce and artisanry. Notable individuals bearing the BOJANG surname include Alhaji Momodu BOJANG (1858-1932), a renowned Islamic scholar and spiritual leader who established several Quranic schools in the Gambian interior.

Another prominent figure was Alhaji Ibrahima BOJANG (1905-1986), a influential merchant and landowner who played a pivotal role in the development of the groundnut trade in Gambia during the early 20th century. His entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropy left a lasting impact on the country's economic and cultural landscape.

In more recent times, Fatou BOJANG (born 1942) has gained recognition as a celebrated Gambian writer and activist, known for her works that explore themes of gender, tradition, and societal change in West Africa. Her poignant narratives have earned her numerous literary accolades and a place among the region's most influential voices.

The BOJANG surname has also made its mark in the realm of sports, with Biri BOJANG (born 1978) achieving international acclaim as a professional football player. During his career, he represented the Gambian national team and played for several clubs across Europe, including stints in England, Sweden, and Norway.

While the name BOJANG has its roots firmly planted in the cultural and historical soil of Gambia, its widespread diaspora has carried it across continents, with individuals bearing this surname now residing in various parts of the world, from North America to Europe and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bojang

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

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 Bojang was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 2.69% 6
Non-Hispanic Black Only 94.62% 211
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 2.24% 5
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

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

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"Bojang last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 25, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/bojang-surname-popularity/.

"Bojang last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/bojang-surname-popularity/. Accessed 25 November, 2024

Bojang last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/bojang-surname-popularity/.

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