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

Odiase, 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 Odiase surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Odiase in America

Odiase is the 112568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Odiase surname appeared 156 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 Odiase.

The history of the last name Odiase

The surname Odiase originated in Nigeria, specifically from the Edo tribe in the present-day Edo State. It is believed to have emerged around the 15th century during the height of the Benin Empire. The name is derived from the Edo word "Odia," which means "warrior" or "brave one," and "se," meaning "child."

In the Benin Empire, warriors held a revered position, and it is likely that the surname Odiase was initially bestowed upon individuals or families with a strong military background or reputation for bravery. Some sources suggest that the name may have been given to the children of renowned warriors as a mark of respect and recognition.

Historical records from the Benin Empire, including oral traditions and written accounts, provide references to individuals bearing the surname Odiase. One notable example is Oba Ewuare the Great, who ruled the Benin Empire from 1440 to 1473. His reign was marked by significant military conquests and territorial expansion, and it is possible that some of his warriors or their descendants carried the surname Odiase.

Another historical figure with the surname Odiase was Odiase Ekpenede, a prominent warrior and military commander who lived in the late 16th century. He is said to have led victorious campaigns against neighboring kingdoms and played a crucial role in defending the Benin Empire from external threats.

In the 17th century, the Odiase surname appears in records documenting trade interactions between the Benin Empire and European merchants. One such individual was Odiase Oghiame, a trader who facilitated the exchange of goods between the Edo people and Portuguese merchants along the coast.

During the 19th century, the Odiase surname gained prominence in the Edo region, with several individuals holding influential positions in local communities. Notable figures included Odiase Ogbemudia, a respected elder and leader in the town of Ekpoma, and Odiase Obaseki, a trader and landowner in Benin City.

Throughout history, the Odiase surname has been associated with bravery, military prowess, and leadership within the Edo tribe and the larger Benin Empire. While the name's origins can be traced back to the 15th century, its enduring legacy continues to reflect the values and traditions of the Edo people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Odiase

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!