Odegaard
A Norwegian surname originating from a farm name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,542 Americans carry the last name Odegaard. That puts it at #20,076 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.45 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 222,279 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Odegaard 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
1.5K
1 in 222,279
Census rank
#20,076
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,331 bearers of the surname Odegaard in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 20076th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Odegaard, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Odegaard
The surname Odegaard is of Norwegian origin, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old Norse words "or," meaning "arrow," and "gardr," meaning "farm" or "enclosure." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived on a farm or estate associated with archery or hunting.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Odegaard can be found in the Diplomatarium Norvegicum, a collection of medieval Norwegian documents dating back to the 13th century. In this collection, there are references to individuals with variations of the name, such as "Ordgardssøn" and "Ordgardsson."
The name Odegaard is closely associated with the region of Trøndelag, in central Norway. Many historical records from this area mention individuals bearing this surname, indicating its prevalence among the local population.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Tord Odegaard (c. 1500-1570) was a prominent Norwegian landowner and politician. He served as a member of the Danish-Norwegian Privy Council and played a significant role in the governance of Norway during the Kalmar Union period.
Another notable person with this surname was Hans Odegaard (1768-1842), a Norwegian farmer and politician who served as a representative in the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, in the early 19th century.
During the 19th century, the Odegaard surname gained recognition in the field of education. Olaus Andreas Odegaard (1812-1889) was a Norwegian educator and clergyman who played a crucial role in establishing and promoting public education in Norway.
In more recent times, the surname Odegaard has been associated with notable individuals in various fields. Martin Odegaard (born 1998) is a professional Norwegian football player who currently plays for Arsenal F.C. and the Norwegian national team.
The Odegaard surname has a rich history rooted in Norwegian culture and tradition, reflecting the country's agricultural and hunting heritage. While the name has evolved over centuries, it continues to be a source of pride and identity for those who bear it.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Odegaard
Among Census respondents with the surname Odegaard, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Odegaard 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 Odegaard surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.1%
- Two or more races1.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Odegaard 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #19,618 | #20,076 | -2.3% |
| Count | 1,272 | 1,331 | 4.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.47 | 0.45 | -4.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Odegaard bearers went from 1,272 to 1,331 (+4.6% change). The surname moved down 458 positions in the national ranking, going from #19,618 to #20,076.
FAQ
Odegaard surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Odegaard?
The surname Odegaard holds position #20,076 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,542 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Odegaard surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Odegaard, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.1%). 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.