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

Olaniyi, 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 Olaniyi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olaniyi in America

Olaniyi is the 110286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Olaniyi surname appeared 160 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 Olaniyi.

The history of the last name Olaniyi

The surname Olaniyi has its origins in the Yoruba language and culture of southwestern Nigeria. It is a compound name formed from the combination of two words: "Ola" meaning wealth or fortune, and "Niyi" which is a shortened form of the name Olaniyan, meaning the prosperity or wealth has arrived.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 16th century, during the height of the Oyo Empire in present-day western Nigeria. It is believed that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who had attained a significant level of wealth or prosperity, either through trade, agriculture, or other means.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Olaniyi surname was found in various historical records and manuscripts of the Yoruba kingdoms, often appearing in lists of prominent traders, landowners, and influential figures within the community.

One notable individual bearing the surname Olaniyi was Olaniyi Akeju, a successful merchant and landowner who lived in the city of Oyo in the late 18th century. His name is mentioned in several historical accounts as a respected and wealthy member of the Oyo society.

Another significant figure was Olaniyi Ajibola, a renowned warrior and military leader who served under the Alaafin (king) of Oyo in the early 19th century. He is credited with leading several successful military campaigns and contributing to the expansion of the Oyo Empire during that period.

In the 19th century, the surname Olaniyi became more widespread as the Yoruba people migrated to other parts of Nigeria and beyond. One notable example is Olaniyi Aina, a prominent trader and community leader who settled in the city of Lagos in the late 1800s.

During the 20th century, several individuals with the surname Olaniyi gained recognition in various fields, such as education, politics, and the arts. For instance, Olaniyi Awotunji was a respected educator and author who wrote extensively on Yoruba culture and language.

Another notable figure was Olaniyi Adeniran, a politician and activist who played a significant role in the Nigerian independence movement in the mid-20th century.

Over time, variations and spelling adaptations of the surname Olaniyi have emerged, such as Olaniji, Olaniyan, and Olaniyonu, reflecting the diverse dialects and regional influences within the Yoruba language.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olaniyi

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

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

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

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