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

Momodu, 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 Momodu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Momodu in America

Momodu is the 123064th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Momodu surname appeared 140 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 Momodu.

The history of the last name Momodu

The surname MOMODU is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in present-day Nigeria. Its roots can be traced back to the 18th century and the Yoruba people, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. The name is thought to be derived from the Yoruba word "omodu," which means "child" or "young one."

In its earliest known usage, MOMODU was likely a descriptive name given to a child or someone considered youthful. It may have been used as a nickname or a way to distinguish individuals within a community. As the Yoruba culture and language spread across parts of West Africa, the name would have traveled and evolved with it.

While there are no definitive records of the name's appearance in ancient manuscripts or historical texts, some of the earliest known bearers of the MOMODU surname can be found in colonial-era documents from the 19th century. These records often refer to individuals from the Yoruba region who interacted with European traders, missionaries, or colonial authorities.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the MOMODU surname was Momodu Ajisafe (c. 1820-1885), a prominent Yoruba trader and chief who played a significant role in the economic and political affairs of the region during the mid-19th century. Another notable figure was Momodu Aliu Ibrahimu (1857-1920), a Muslim scholar and educator who established several schools in present-day Nigeria.

As the Yoruba diaspora spread across the globe, the MOMODU surname traveled with them. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, individuals with this name could be found in various parts of the world, including the Caribbean, South America, and even as far as the United States and Europe. One such individual was Momodu Johnson (1870-1942), a Sierra Leonean politician and barrister who served as the country's Attorney General.

In more recent times, the MOMODU surname has gained prominence through individuals like Dele Momodu (born 1960), a Nigerian journalist, entrepreneur, and former presidential candidate. Another notable bearer of the name is Momodu Lamin Touray (born 1954), a Gambian economist and politician who served as the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs for several years.

While the MOMODU surname has its roots in West Africa, it has become a part of the global tapestry of names, carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the rich history and resilience of the Yoruba people and their diaspora.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Momodu

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

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

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

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