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

Olorunfemi, 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 Olorunfemi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olorunfemi in America

Olorunfemi is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Olorunfemi surname appeared 101 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 Olorunfemi.

The history of the last name Olorunfemi

The surname Olorunfemi has its origins in the Yoruba language spoken primarily in southwestern Nigeria and parts of neighboring countries like Benin and Togo. It is a compound word that can be translated to mean "God's gift" or "God's honor," with "Olórun" meaning God, and "fẹmi" meaning honor or gift.

This name is believed to have emerged during the height of the Oyo Empire, a prominent Yoruba empire that flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries. The Oyo Empire was known for its powerful military and highly sophisticated administrative system, which may have contributed to the widespread adoption of the name Olorunfemi among the Yoruba people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Olorunfemi can be found in the oral histories and folklore of the Yoruba people, which have been passed down through generations. These oral traditions often featured characters with names like Olorunfemi, reflecting the cultural importance placed on reverence for the divine and the belief in God's blessings.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Olorunfemi Ọṣìnṣìnà emerged as a prominent warrior and military strategist during the Oyo-Nupe Wars. His exploits and leadership on the battlefield earned him a legendary status among the Yoruba people, further cementing the name Olorunfemi's association with strength and honor.

Another significant bearer of the name was Olorunfemi Aiyesimẹnu, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His contributions to the study of Yoruba culture and traditions, as well as his advocacy for education and intellectual pursuits, made him a highly respected figure in his time.

In the 20th century, Olorunfemi Fadeyi, a Nigerian playwright and author, gained recognition for his works that explored themes of cultural identity, tradition, and the complexities of modern African society. His plays and literary works helped to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

It is worth noting that variations of the name Olorunfemi, such as Olofemi, Olunfemi, or Olufemi, have also been used throughout history, reflecting the fluidity and adaptability of the Yoruba language and naming conventions.

Overall, the surname Olorunfemi is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical traditions of the Yoruba people, reflecting their reverence for the divine and their appreciation for qualities like honor, strength, and intellectual pursuit. Its enduring presence throughout the centuries is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of this West African region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olorunfemi

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

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

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

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