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

Oladejo, 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 Oladejo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oladejo in America

Oladejo is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oladejo surname appeared 109 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 Oladejo.

The history of the last name Oladejo

The surname Oladejo is of Yoruba origin, tracing its roots to the southwestern region of Nigeria. It arose during the pre-colonial era, believed to have emerged sometime between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Oladejo is a compound word derived from the Yoruba language, composed of the elements "Ola" meaning "wealth" or "fortune," and "dejo" meaning "to wake up" or "to become alert." The name can be interpreted to signify one who awakens to prosperity or becomes conscious of their good fortune.

Early written records mentioning individuals with the surname Oladejo are scarce due to the predominantly oral tradition of the Yoruba people. However, some historical accounts suggest that the name was present among the noble families and influential lineages within the Yoruba kingdoms and city-states.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Oladejo Akinkunmi, a prominent warrior and chief who lived in the late 17th century. He was known for his bravery and military prowess during the Yoruba internecine wars of that era.

Another notable figure was Oladejo Adigun, a skilled diplomat and negotiator who played a crucial role in resolving territorial disputes between the Oyo and Ibarapa regions in the early 19th century.

During the colonial period, the name Oladejo gained wider recognition. Oladejo Shyngle, born in 1842, was a respected Chief and advisor to the British colonial administration in Lagos. He played a significant role in facilitating the integration of the Yoruba people into the emerging colonial system.

In the realm of literature, Oladejo Okediji, born in 1915, was a renowned Yoruba playwright and novelist. His works, such as "Rere Run" and "Iwa Lesin," explored themes of tradition, cultural identity, and the challenges faced by the Yoruba people in a rapidly changing world.

Another prominent figure was Oladejo Bamidele, a Nigerian politician and advocate for human rights, who served as a member of the Nigerian Senate from 1999 to 2003.

While the surname Oladejo is primarily associated with the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, it has also spread to other parts of the country and beyond, carried by individuals and families who have migrated or descended from Yoruba ancestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oladejo

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

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

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

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