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

Lawani, 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 Lawani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lawani in America

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

The Lawani 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 Lawani.

The history of the last name Lawani

The surname LAWANI is believed to have originated in the West African region, particularly in present-day Nigeria. It is thought to be derived from the Yoruba language, one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The name LAWANI may have its roots in the Yoruba word "awa," which means "wealth" or "affluence." This suggests that the name might have been given to individuals or families who were considered wealthy or prosperous within their communities.

Historical records and documents from the pre-colonial era in Nigeria are scarce, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact origin and earliest recorded instances of the LAWANI surname. However, it is reasonable to assume that the name has been in use for several centuries within the Yoruba community.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname LAWANI was Adeyemi LAWANI, a prominent Yoruba chief and warrior who lived in the late 18th century. He was known for his bravery and leadership during conflicts between various Yoruba kingdoms.

Another notable figure was Olufunmilayo LAWANI, a Yoruba trader and businesswoman who lived in the early 19th century. She was renowned for her entrepreneurial skills and played a significant role in the economic development of her community.

In the 20th century, Chief Obafemi LAWANI was a respected Yoruba leader and advocate for education. He founded several schools and worked tirelessly to promote literacy and educational opportunities for the youth in his region.

Internationally, one of the most recognized individuals with the LAWANI surname was Wole LAWANI, a Nigerian-American writer and playwright. He was born in 1934 and gained recognition for his plays and novels that explored themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the African diaspora experience.

Lastly, Funmilayo LAWANI was a renowned Nigerian textile artist and fashion designer. Born in 1952, she was celebrated for her innovative use of traditional Yoruba textile patterns and techniques, which she incorporated into contemporary fashion designs.

While the LAWANI surname has its roots in West Africa, particularly Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and the African diaspora. However, its origins can be traced back to the Yoruba people and their rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lawani

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

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

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

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