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

Kodjo, 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 Kodjo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kodjo in America

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

The Kodjo 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 Kodjo.

The history of the last name Kodjo

The surname KODJO originated in West Africa, specifically in the modern-day countries of Ghana and Togo. The name can be traced back to the Ewe people, an ethnic group found primarily in these regions. The Ewe language, which belongs to the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo language family, is the source of the surname KODJO.

KODJO is believed to have derived from the Ewe word "kodzo," which means "firstborn" or "firstborn son." In the Ewe culture, the naming tradition often reflected the order of birth or circumstances surrounding a child's arrival. The name KODJO would have been bestowed upon the firstborn son in a family, signifying his importance and position within the household.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname KODJO can be found in the writings of early European explorers and missionaries who visited West Africa in the 16th and 17th centuries. These accounts often mentioned local leaders, chiefs, or prominent individuals by their names, including those bearing the surname KODJO.

A notable historical figure who bore the surname KODJO was Agokoli Kodjo, a prominent Ewe chief who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He played a crucial role in the resistance against the expansionist policies of the Ashanti Empire, which sought to dominate the coastal regions of present-day Ghana and Togo. Agokoli Kodjo's leadership and military strategies helped protect the autonomy of the Ewe people during this turbulent period.

Another individual of historical significance was Kodjo Yevu (1815-1892), a prominent Ewe merchant and trader who established a successful trading network along the coast of West Africa. His business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit contributed to the economic growth of the region during the 19th century.

In the realm of literature, Kofi Awoonor (1935-2013), a Ghanaian poet, novelist, and ambassador, was also known by his Ewe name, Kodjo Kofi Awoonor. His works, which explored themes of African identity, history, and culture, earned him international recognition and numerous awards.

Francis Kodjo Akakpo (1920-2005) was a distinguished Togolese politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Togo from 1976 to 1978. His political career spanned several decades, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the country's post-independence development.

Adzo Tamah Kodjo (1896-1968) was a prominent Ewe woman who became one of the first female entrepreneurs in Togo. She established a successful trading business and was known for her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to empowering women in her community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kodjo

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

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

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

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