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

Odunsi, 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 Odunsi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Odunsi in America

Odunsi is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Odunsi surname appeared 143 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 Odunsi.

The history of the last name Odunsi

The surname "ODUNSI" is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Yoruba tribe of southwestern Nigeria. The name is believed to have originated in the 16th or 17th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire, one of the most powerful and influential Yoruba kingdoms.

The name "ODUNSI" is derived from the Yoruba words "odun" and "si," which together mean "to honor time" or "to respect age." It is thought to have been a name given to individuals who were highly respected for their wisdom and experience, particularly those who held positions of authority or influence within their communities.

While there are no known historical references to the name "ODUNSI" in ancient manuscripts or records, it is believed to have been a relatively common surname among the Yoruba people during the pre-colonial era. The earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in some of the oral histories and traditions of the Yoruba people, which were passed down through generations.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname "ODUNSI" was Odunsi Olowu, a prominent Yoruba chief who lived in the late 17th century. He was renowned for his wisdom and leadership skills, and is said to have played a significant role in the governance of the Oyo Empire during his time.

Another notable figure bearing the name "ODUNSI" was Odunsi Ajayi, a Yoruba scholar and historian who lived in the 19th century. He is credited with documenting many of the oral histories and traditions of the Yoruba people, helping to preserve their rich cultural heritage for future generations.

In more recent times, the surname "ODUNSI" has been carried by several notable individuals, including Odunsi Olatunde (1925-2005), a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the Attorney General of the Western Region of Nigeria in the 1960s, and Odunsi Abiodun (1949-present), a Nigerian author and academic who has written extensively on Yoruba literature and culture.

Other individuals with the surname "ODUNSI" include Odunsi Adebayo (1932-2018), a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Odunsi Foundation, which supports education and healthcare initiatives in Nigeria, and Odunsi Oluwole (1955-present), a Nigerian artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited in galleries around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Odunsi

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

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

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

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