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

Ogunyemi, 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 Ogunyemi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ogunyemi in America

Ogunyemi is the 102688th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ogunyemi surname appeared 175 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 Ogunyemi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ogunyemi to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ogunyemi

The surname Ogunyemi has its origins in the Yoruba language spoken in western Nigeria. It is a combination of two words: "ogun" meaning war or warrior, and "yemi" meaning embrace or follow. Therefore, the name Ogunyemi can be interpreted as "one who embraces or follows the way of the warrior."

This surname is believed to have originated in the ancient Yoruba kingdoms of present-day southwestern Nigeria, which date back to the 11th century. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in the records of the Oyo Empire, one of the most powerful Yoruba states at the time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Ogunyemi Ajibola, a renowned warrior and military strategist who lived in the late 16th century. He played a crucial role in the expansion of the Oyo Empire and was celebrated for his bravery and tactical prowess on the battlefield.

In the 18th century, the name Ogunyemi was associated with the Ijebu Kingdom, another prominent Yoruba state. Ogunyemi Ademosu, born in 1725, was a respected leader and diplomat who helped negotiate treaties and maintain peace between the Ijebu and neighboring kingdoms.

During the 19th century, the surname gained prominence with individuals like Ogunyemi Ogunbunmi (1819-1892), a successful merchant and landowner in the city of Ibadan. His wealth and influence allowed him to contribute significantly to the development of his community.

Another notable figure was Ogunyemi Oluwole (1840-1912), a respected scholar and teacher who played a significant role in preserving and promoting Yoruba culture and traditions through his writings and teachings.

In more recent times, the name Ogunyemi has been carried by individuals such as Ogunyemi Oyewole (1906-1987), a prominent politician and activist who advocated for the rights of the Yoruba people during the struggle for Nigerian independence.

While the surname Ogunyemi is predominantly found in Nigeria, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. Individuals bearing this name can be found in various countries, contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ogunyemi

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

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 Ogunyemi 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ogunyemi has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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