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

Odhiambo, 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 Odhiambo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Odhiambo in America

Odhiambo is the 61123rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Odhiambo surname appeared 329 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 Odhiambo.

The history of the last name Odhiambo

The surname Odhiambo has its roots in Kenya, originating from the Luo ethnic group. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century, a time when the Luo people were migrating and settling in various parts of modern-day Kenya.

Odhiambo is derived from the Luo language and is a combination of two words: "Odhi" meaning "to be born" and "Ambo" which refers to a specific clan or lineage. Together, the name can be interpreted as "one who is born into a particular clan."

While there are no known historical references to the name in ancient manuscripts or records, it is closely tied to the oral traditions and cultural practices of the Luo people. The surname was likely used to identify individuals within their respective clans and lineages.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Odhiambo was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a prominent Kenyan politician and leader of the Luo community born in 1911. He played a significant role in Kenya's struggle for independence and served as the country's first Vice President.

Another notable figure was Josia Odhiambo, a Kenyan writer and playwright born in 1938. He is renowned for his contributions to Kenyan literature and his works that explored the complexities of Luo culture and traditions.

In the field of academics, David Odhiambo, born in 1937, was a renowned Kenyan scholar and entomologist. He made significant contributions to the study of insects and their impact on agriculture in Africa.

The name Odhiambo has also been associated with sports, with David Odhiambo, born in 1965, being a renowned Kenyan athlete who excelled in long-distance running and represented his country in international competitions.

Lastly, Enos Odhiambo, born in 1931, was a Kenyan politician and activist who played a crucial role in the country's independence movement and the fight against corruption and social injustice.

While the surname Odhiambo has its roots in Kenya, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its significance remains deeply rooted in the rich history and traditions of the Luo people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Odhiambo

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

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

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

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