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

Chombo, 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 Chombo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chombo in America

Chombo is the 118185th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chombo surname appeared 147 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 Chombo.

The history of the last name Chombo

The surname "CHOMBO" is believed to have originated in the region of West Africa, specifically in present-day Nigeria. It is thought to have derived from the Yoruba language, where the word "chombo" means "a small trading canoe" or "a small boat".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 17th century, when a man named Adeyemi CHOMBO was documented as a trader and canoe operator along the Niger River. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in river-based commerce or transportation during that time period.

In the 19th century, the name appears in records related to the transatlantic slave trade, as some individuals bearing the CHOMBO surname were forcibly transported from West Africa to the Americas. Sadly, many details about their lives and experiences have been lost to history.

One notable figure with the CHOMBO surname was Oluwadamilola CHOMBO (1842-1912), a renowned Yoruba artist and sculptor who was born in present-day Benin Republic but spent much of his life in Lagos, Nigeria. His intricate woodcarvings and sculptures were highly sought after and showcased the rich cultural traditions of the Yoruba people.

Another individual of note was Adebayo CHOMBO (1905-1981), a Nigerian writer and educator who played a significant role in promoting literacy and education in his home country. His works, which included novels, short stories, and children's books, often explored themes of cultural identity and the challenges faced by African societies during the colonial era.

In the mid-20th century, Folashade CHOMBO (1927-2005) made a name for herself as a pioneering Nigerian journalist and women's rights advocate. She was among the first women in Nigeria to hold a prominent position in the media industry and used her platform to raise awareness about gender equality and women's empowerment.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the CHOMBO surname gained further recognition through the work of Babatunde CHOMBO (1945-2018), a renowned Nigerian architect who was instrumental in designing several iconic buildings and structures in Lagos and other major cities across the country.

While the CHOMBO surname may have originated from a humble word related to small boats and river transportation, it has since been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including art, literature, journalism, education, and architecture, particularly in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chombo

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

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

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

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