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

Oladimeji, 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 Oladimeji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oladimeji in America

Oladimeji is the 113791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oladimeji surname appeared 154 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 Oladimeji.

The history of the last name Oladimeji

The surname Oladimeji originates from the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. It is a compound name formed from the combination of two Yoruba words: "Ola," meaning wealth or honor, and "Dimeji," which means "I am crowned." The name likely emerged during the height of the Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba kingdom that thrived between the 16th and 19th centuries.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Oladimeji can be traced back to the 17th century, when it appeared in various oral traditions and historical accounts of the Oyo Empire. One notable mention is found in the "Itan Oyo" (History of Oyo), a collection of oral histories and legends that detail the lives of the Oyo's rulers and prominent figures.

During the 18th century, the name Oladimeji gained prominence among the elite class of the Oyo Empire. Several influential individuals bore this name, including Oladimeji Ajaguna, a renowned warrior and military strategist who served under the Alafin (ruler) Abiodun in the late 1700s.

As the Oyo Empire expanded its influence across what is now southwestern Nigeria, the name Oladimeji spread to other regions and communities. One notable bearer was Oladimeji Ogundipe, a respected chief and advisor to the Oba (king) of Egbaland in the early 19th century.

In the 19th century, the name Oladimeji continued to be prominent among the Yoruba people. One significant individual was Oladimeji Adeleye, a prominent merchant and landowner who played a crucial role in the development of the city of Ibadan during the late 1800s.

As the Yoruba diaspora grew across West Africa and beyond, the name Oladimeji traveled with them. In the early 20th century, Oladimeji Ajibola, a renowned educator and community leader, made significant contributions to the development of education in Sierra Leone.

While the surname Oladimeji has its roots in the Yoruba culture of southwestern Nigeria, it has since gained recognition and prominence across various parts of the world, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and history of the Yoruba people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oladimeji

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

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

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

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