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

Odeyemi, 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 Odeyemi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Odeyemi in America

Odeyemi is the 115034th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Odeyemi surname appeared 152 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 Odeyemi.

The history of the last name Odeyemi

The surname Odeyemi has its origins in the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century in the region around the city of Ibadan. The name is thought to be derived from the Yoruba words "Ode" meaning "hunter" and "Yemi" meaning "my path" or "my way".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Odeyemi name can be found in the historical records of the Oyo Empire, a prominent Yoruba kingdom that flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries. These records mention an Odeyemi family that held prominent positions within the kingdom's military and governing councils.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Adeyemi Odeyemi was a respected military leader and advisor to the Alaafin (king) of Oyo. He played a crucial role in the expansion of the Oyo Empire's territories and the successful defense against rival kingdoms.

Another notable individual with the Odeyemi surname was Falolu Odeyemi, who lived in the late 19th century. He was a renowned traditional healer and herbalist, and his knowledge of medicinal plants and remedies was widely sought after throughout the region.

During the colonial era, the Odeyemi name appeared in various administrative records kept by the British authorities in Nigeria. One such record from the early 20th century mentions an Akinwande Odeyemi, who served as a local chief and intermediary between the colonial government and the Yoruba communities.

In more recent history, Olusola Odeyemi (1930-2010) was a prominent Nigerian academic and author. He wrote extensively on Yoruba culture, history, and folklore, and served as a professor at the University of Ibadan for many years.

Across various historical periods, the Odeyemi name has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities, whether in leadership roles, traditional practices, or academic pursuits. While the name's roots can be traced back to the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, its legacy has extended far beyond its place of origin.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Odeyemi

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

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

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

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