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

Dossou, 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 Dossou surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dossou in America

Dossou is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dossou surname appeared 118 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 Dossou.

The history of the last name Dossou

The surname DOSSOU originated in West Africa, specifically in the present-day country of Benin. It is believed to have first emerged in the 17th century among the Fon ethnic group, one of the largest ethnic groups in Benin.

The name DOSSOU is derived from the Fon language and is thought to be a contraction of the phrase "do sɔ u", which translates to "one who loves life" or "one who enjoys life". This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals with a positive and joyful outlook on life.

Records of the name DOSSOU can be found in historical documents and manuscripts from the region, particularly those related to the Kingdom of Dahomey, a powerful West African kingdom that existed from the 17th to the 19th century. The name is mentioned in some accounts of the kingdom's rulers and prominent figures.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname DOSSOU was Agbo DOSSOU, a Fon warrior and military leader who served under King Glele of Dahomey in the mid-19th century. He was known for his bravery and strategic prowess in battles against neighboring kingdoms.

Another notable figure was Kojo DOSSOU, a Fon trader and merchant who lived in the late 18th century. He was involved in the lucrative trade between the coastal regions of West Africa and European merchants, dealing in goods like palm oil, textiles, and spices.

In the 20th century, Justin DOSSOU (1919-2008) was a prominent Beninese politician and diplomat. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Benin and played a crucial role in the country's transition to democracy after years of military rule.

Mariam DOSSOU (1932-2017) was a celebrated Beninese writer and poet. Her works, written in both French and Fon, explored themes of love, identity, and the experiences of women in Africa. She was widely recognized for her contributions to Beninese literature and received numerous awards and honors.

Lastly, Barthélemy DOSSOU (1943-2020) was a renowned Beninese artist and sculptor. His works, often carved from wood and inspired by traditional Fon art, depicted scenes from daily life and celebrated the cultural heritage of his people. His sculptures have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname DOSSOU throughout history, highlighting its deep roots in the cultural and historical context of West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dossou

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

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

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

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