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

Olufemi, 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 Olufemi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olufemi in America

Olufemi is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Olufemi surname appeared 106 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 Olufemi.

The history of the last name Olufemi

The surname "OLUFEMI" originated in the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Yoruba words: "Olu" meaning "owner" or "lord," and "Femi" meaning "love" or "affection." Thus, the name "OLUFEMI" can be interpreted as "the lord of love" or "the owner of affection."

This name gained prominence during the Oyo Empire, which ruled over much of present-day southwestern Nigeria from the 16th to the 19th century. The Oyo Empire was a powerful and influential kingdom known for its wealth, military prowess, and cultural achievements.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "OLUFEMI" can be traced back to the 17th century, where it appears in oral histories and traditional songs of the Yoruba people. These oral traditions often celebrated the virtues of love, loyalty, and bravery, which were embodied by individuals bearing the name "OLUFEMI."

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname "OLUFEMI" was Olufemi Ogunlokun, a renowned warrior and military strategist who served under the Alaafin (king) of Oyo in the late 17th century. His bravery and leadership skills were widely celebrated, and he played a crucial role in defending the Oyo Empire against rival kingdoms.

In the 18th century, the name "OLUFEMI" gained further prominence with the birth of Olufemi Fagunwa, a renowned Yoruba author and storyteller. His famous work, "Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole" (The Forest of a Thousand Daemons), is considered a masterpiece of Yoruba literature and has been translated into several languages.

Another notable figure with the surname "OLUFEMI" was Olufemi Lisabi, a prominent Yoruba chief and diplomat in the early 20th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and fostering relations between the Yoruba people and the British colonial government.

In the modern era, the name "OLUFEMI" has been carried by several distinguished individuals, including Olufemi Vaughan, a renowned Nigerian literary scholar and professor at Amherst College in the United States, and Olufemi Elias, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

While the surname "OLUFEMI" is primarily associated with the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, it has spread to other parts of the country and beyond due to migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to hold significance and cultural resonance, reflecting the enduring values of love, affection, and devotion that were embodied by its earliest bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olufemi

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

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

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

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