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

Makinde, 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 Makinde surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Makinde in America

Makinde is the 81181st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Makinde surname appeared 233 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 Makinde.

The history of the last name Makinde

The surname Makinde has its origins in the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. This name likely emerged during the 15th or 16th century, as the Yoruba civilization flourished and expanded across the region.

Makinde is thought to be derived from the Yoruba words "maa" meaning "to know" and "kinde" meaning "strong" or "powerful". Thus, the name roughly translates to "one who knows strength" or "the knowledgeable one". This suggests the name may have been bestowed upon individuals revered for their wisdom, courage, or physical prowess.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of the Makinde surname can be found in oral histories and written accounts from the 17th century, as the Yoruba people established various city-states and kingdoms across what is now southwestern Nigeria and parts of modern-day Benin and Togo.

One notable figure associated with the Makinde name was Adelugba Makinde, a revered warrior and leader from the city-state of Oyo in the late 17th century. Accounts from that era describe him as a skilled tactician and formidable fighter who helped defend Oyo against rival kingdoms.

Another prominent individual bearing the Makinde surname was Akanbi Makinde, a renowned trader and merchant who lived in the early 19th century. He was known for establishing trade routes and fostering economic ties between the Yoruba kingdoms and coastal regions, contributing to the prosperity of the region.

In more recent times, Oladejo Makinde, born in 1925, was a respected educator and linguist who played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the Yoruba language and culture. He authored numerous books and academic works on the subject.

Abiola Makinde, born in 1948, was a distinguished Nigerian diplomat who served as ambassador to several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. He was instrumental in fostering international relations and promoting Nigeria's interests on the global stage.

Lastly, Seyi Makinde, born in 1967, is a prominent Nigerian businessman and politician who currently serves as the Governor of Oyo State. He has been recognized for his efforts in promoting economic development and infrastructure projects in the region.

While the Makinde surname originated among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, it has since spread across the country and beyond, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Makinde

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

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

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

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