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

Olaleye, 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 Olaleye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olaleye in America

Olaleye is the 58876th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Olaleye surname appeared 344 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 Olaleye.

We can also compare 2010 data for Olaleye 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 Olaleye

The surname Olaleye originated from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Yoruba words: "Ola" meaning wealth or fortune, and "eye" meaning life. The name can be interpreted to mean "wealth/fortune gives life" or "one whose wealth/fortune sustains life."

The earliest recorded instances of the Olaleye surname can be traced back to the 16th century in the region of present-day Oyo State, Nigeria. It is believed to have been initially adopted by members of the Yoruba nobility or those who held significant positions in society, reflecting the association of the name with prosperity and affluence.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Olaleye surname was Olaleye Ogunbayo, a prominent trader and farmer who lived in the late 16th century in the town of Iwo, Oyo State. Historical records indicate that he was respected for his business acumen and agricultural success, which contributed to the prosperity of the local community.

In the 18th century, the Olaleye surname gained further prominence with the rise of Olaleye Ojikutu, a renowned warrior and military strategist who played a crucial role in defending the Oyo Empire against external threats. His exploits were documented in oral traditions and local histories, solidifying the name's association with strength and resilience.

Another notable figure bearing the Olaleye surname was Olaleye Ajayi, a celebrated artist and sculptor who lived in the 19th century. His intricate wood carvings and sculptures depicting Yoruba mythology and cultural themes gained recognition throughout the region and beyond, contributing to the preservation of the Yoruba artistic heritage.

In the 20th century, Olaleye Asuni, a prominent educator and advocate for women's education, made significant contributions to the advancement of education in Nigeria. Her efforts to establish schools and promote literacy among girls earned her widespread respect and recognition.

Over the centuries, the Olaleye surname has been closely tied to the Yoruba cultural identity and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, warriors, and community leaders. While its origins can be traced back to the Yoruba people of Nigeria, the name has also been adopted by individuals of Yoruba descent living in other parts of the world, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of this rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olaleye

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

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

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

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