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

Olusanya, 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 Olusanya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olusanya in America

Olusanya is the 134712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Olusanya surname appeared 125 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 Olusanya.

The history of the last name Olusanya

The surname Olusanya has its origins in the Yoruba language and culture of western Nigeria. It is a compound name derived from the Yoruba words "Olu," meaning "owner" or "lord," and "Shan'ya," meaning "to walk with importance." The name likely originated as a descriptive title or honorific bestowed upon an individual of high status or nobility within Yoruba society.

The earliest recorded instances of the Olusanya surname can be traced back to the 17th century, appearing in historical records and documents from the ancient Yoruba kingdoms of Oyo and Ijebu. These kingdoms were powerful political and cultural centers within the region, and the Olusanya name was closely associated with the ruling classes and prominent families.

One notable early bearer of the Olusanya name was Oba Olusanya Adelu, who ruled as the Awujale (paramount ruler) of the Ijebu Kingdom in the late 17th century. His reign was marked by significant territorial expansions and the consolidation of Ijebu power within the region.

In the 19th century, the Olusanya surname gained further prominence with the rise of Olusanya Ogundipe, a renowned Yoruba scholar, historian, and writer. Ogundipe's works, including his seminal text "Iwe Itan Yoruba" (The History of the Yoruba People), played a crucial role in preserving and documenting Yoruba culture and traditions.

Another influential figure bearing the Olusanya name was Olusanya Oludipe, a prominent Yoruba chief and military leader who played a pivotal role in the Yoruba Wars of the late 19th century. His strategic leadership and bravery in battle earned him widespread respect and admiration among his contemporaries.

In the 20th century, the Olusanya surname continued to be associated with notable individuals, such as Olusanya Awojobi, a pioneering Nigerian educator and advocate for women's rights. Awojobi founded one of the first schools for girls in Lagos and dedicated her life to promoting educational opportunities for women in Nigeria.

Historically, variations of the Olusanya surname have included spellings like Olushanya, Olushanya, and Olushanya, reflecting regional linguistic differences and adaptations over time. While the name originated within the Yoruba ethnic group, it has since spread throughout Nigeria and beyond, carried by individuals of Yoruba descent and those who have adopted the name through marriage or other cultural connections.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olusanya

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

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

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

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