Falana
A surname possibly derived from an Arabic word meaning "radiant" or "shining".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Falana. That puts it at #58,481 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Falana surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#58,481
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
347
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 347 bearers of the surname Falana in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 58481st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Falana, the largest self-reported group is Black at 59.6%. The next largest groups are White (34.3%) and Hispanic (4.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Falana
The surname FALANA has its origins in West Africa, specifically in the Yoruba-speaking regions of present-day Nigeria. It is believed to have originated during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Yoruba word "afa," which means "fortune" or "destiny," and the suffix "-na," which is a possessive marker indicating ownership or belonging.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the FALANA surname can be found in the archives of the ancient Oyo Empire, which was a prominent Yoruba kingdom that existed from the 14th to the 19th century. These records mention individuals bearing the name, suggesting that it was already in use during that time period.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Falana Oluwole was a prominent military leader and advisor to the Alaafin (the ruler) of the Oyo Empire. He played a significant role in the expansion and consolidation of the empire's territories during that era.
As the Yoruba people migrated and established communities across different regions of West Africa, the FALANA surname spread along with them. In the 18th century, a wealthy merchant named Falana Akinbobola was known for his extensive trading networks and influence in the coastal regions of present-day Benin Republic.
During the 19th century, a prominent scholar and educator named Falana Adetoun made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba language and culture. He authored several works and established one of the first formal schools in the region dedicated to teaching Yoruba traditions.
Another notable individual with the FALANA surname was Falana Ogunbona, a renowned traditional healer and herbalist who lived in the late 19th century. His expertise in traditional Yoruba medicine was widely sought after, and his techniques were passed down through generations.
It is important to note that while the FALANA surname is rooted in the Yoruba culture of West Africa, over time it has spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply connected to the Yoruba people and their rich cultural heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Falana
Among Census respondents with the surname Falana, the largest self-reported group is Black at 59.6%. The next largest groups are White (34.3%) and Hispanic (4.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Falana bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Falana surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American59.6%
- White34.3%
- Hispanic or Latino4.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Falana surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #58,481 | #58,481 | 0.0% |
| Count | 347 | 347 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Falana bearers went from 347 to 347 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #58,481 to #58,481.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Falana
FAQ
Falana surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Falana?
The surname Falana holds position #58,481 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Falana surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Falana, the largest self-reported group is Black at 59.6%. The next largest groups are White (34.3%) and Hispanic (4.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.