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

Odoom, 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 Odoom surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Odoom in America

Odoom is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Odoom surname appeared 117 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 Odoom.

The history of the last name Odoom

The surname Odoom originates from Ghana, West Africa, and can be traced back to the 17th century. It is believed to have derived from the Twi language spoken by the Akan people, where "odoom" means "termite mound" or "anthill."

Historically, surnames in many African cultures were often derived from physical features, occupations, or events associated with an individual or their family. The name Odoom may have originated from an ancestor's association with termite mounds or their occupation related to termite control or harvesting.

One of the earliest known references to the name Odoom can be found in a 1692 record from the Dutch West India Company, which documented trade interactions with local Akan chieftains in the region that is now Ghana.

In the 18th century, there are records of an Odoom family residing in the town of Akropong, located in the Akuapem region of modern-day Ghana. This family was known for their expertise in traditional Akan crafts and arts.

Notable individuals with the surname Odoom include:

1. Nana Akyi Odoom (1825-1892), a respected chief and leader of the Akuapem people in the late 19th century.
2. Kwesi Odoom (1890-1964), a renowned Akan sculptor and woodcarver, known for his intricate fertility dolls and masks.
3. Amma Odoom (1915-2001), a pioneering Ghanaian educator and advocate for women's education in the mid-20th century.
4. Kwame Odoom (1932-2008), a prominent Ghanaian journalist and author, known for his investigative reporting on political corruption.
5. Afua Odoom (born 1975), a contemporary Ghanaian artist and installation artist, whose works explore themes of identity and cultural heritage.

While the name Odoom has its roots in Ghana, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical significance and cultural connections of the name remain firmly rooted in the Akan traditions of West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Odoom

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

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

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

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