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

Odunlami, 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 Odunlami surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Odunlami in America

Odunlami is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Odunlami surname appeared 112 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 Odunlami.

The history of the last name Odunlami

The surname Odunlami originates from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, with its roots tracing back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Yoruba words "Odun" meaning "year" and "Lami" meaning "to multiply," suggesting a connection to an ancestor's birth year or a significant event that marked an increase or expansion.

Historically, the Odunlami name has been associated with the Oyo Empire, one of the most influential and powerful Yoruba kingdoms that flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries. Some early records indicate that individuals bearing this surname were part of the royal lineage or held influential positions within the empire's administration.

One of the earliest documented references to the Odunlami name can be found in the oral traditions and historical accounts of the Oyo Empire, which were passed down through generations of griots (storytellers) and chroniclers. These narratives often mentioned prominent Odunlami figures who played crucial roles in shaping the empire's political and cultural landscape.

Alaafin Ajagbo Odunlami, who ruled the Oyo Empire from 1528 to 1554, is one of the most notable historical figures associated with this surname. He was renowned for his military prowess and expansion of the empire's territories through successful campaigns against neighboring kingdoms.

Another prominent individual was Asamu Odunlami, a renowned warrior and military strategist who lived in the late 17th century. He served under Alaafin Abiodun Adegolu Oyo and played a pivotal role in defending the empire against external threats and maintaining its dominance in the region.

In the 19th century, Chief Olubadan Akinkunmi Odunlami emerged as a influential figure in the Ibadan chieftaincy system, known for his diplomatic skills and efforts to maintain peace and stability within the Yoruba territories during a period of political turmoil.

Other notable Odunlami individuals include Ayinla Odunlami, a renowned musician and pioneer of the Apala genre in the early 20th century, and Adeyinka Odunlami, a respected scholar and historian who contributed significantly to the preservation and documentation of Yoruba culture and traditions.

While the Odunlami surname originated within the Yoruba ethnic group, its presence has also been recorded in various parts of West Africa, likely due to migration and cultural exchanges over the centuries. However, its roots can be traced back to the historical kingdoms and empires of the Yoruba people in present-day southwestern Nigeria.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Odunlami

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

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

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

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