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

Ogunlana, 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 Ogunlana surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ogunlana in America

Ogunlana is the 135593rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ogunlana surname appeared 124 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 Ogunlana.

The history of the last name Ogunlana

The surname Ogunlana has its origins in the Yoruba language spoken in southwestern Nigeria. It is a compound name formed by combining two Yoruba words - "ogun" meaning "war" or "battle," and "lana" meaning "to wander" or "to traverse." The name likely originated during the period of the Yoruba city-states and kingdoms, which flourished between the 11th and 19th centuries.

The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage, and many of their surnames are derived from notable events, occupations, or personal characteristics. Ogunlana may have been a title or epithet given to a warrior or military leader who was known for his prowess on the battlefield and his ability to lead troops through various territories.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ogunlana can be found in the writings of Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a renowned Yoruba scholar and linguist who lived between 1809 and 1891. Crowther's works, which include dictionaries and translations of the Bible into Yoruba, provide insights into the language and cultural traditions of the Yoruba people.

A notable bearer of the name Ogunlana was Olumide Ogunlana, a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Olumide and Stephanie Ogunlana Foundation. The foundation aims to support education and healthcare initiatives in Nigeria. Olumide Ogunlana lived from 1943 to 2018.

Another individual with the surname Ogunlana was Lateef Ogunlana, a Nigerian journalist and author who wrote extensively on issues related to governance, democracy, and human rights in Africa. Lateef Ogunlana was born in 1932 and passed away in 2012.

Adebayo Ogunlana, a Nigerian-born British author and playwright, is also a notable bearer of the surname. He is best known for his novel "Listen to the Voice" and his plays that explore themes of cultural identity and the experiences of the African diaspora in Britain.

Olusegun Ogunlana, a Nigerian academic and scholar, has contributed significantly to the field of African literature. He is the author of several books and articles on Yoruba literature and culture, including "The Literature of the Yoruba People" and "The Yoruba Tradition of Orature."

Lastly, Olabode Ogunlana, a Nigerian artist and sculptor, has gained recognition for his works that blend traditional Yoruba themes and motifs with contemporary art styles. His sculptures and installations have been featured in exhibitions across Africa and internationally.

While the surname Ogunlana may have originated centuries ago, it continues to be a prominent name among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and their diaspora communities around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ogunlana

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

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

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

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