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

Osife, 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 Osife surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Osife in America

Osife is the 102197th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Osife surname appeared 176 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 Osife.

We can also compare 2010 data for Osife 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 Osife

The surname OSIFE has its origins in Nigeria, specifically among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. The name likely emerged during the 15th or 16th century, as the Yoruba kingdom of Oyo was becoming a dominant power in the region.

OSIFE is believed to be derived from the Yoruba words "Osi" meaning "hunter" and "Ife" referring to the ancient city of Ile-Ife, considered the cradle of Yoruba civilization. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with hunters or warriors from the Ife region.

Early records mentioning the OSIFE surname are scarce due to the oral tradition of the Yoruba people. However, some accounts suggest that the name appeared in oral histories and praise songs dedicated to notable warriors and hunters from the Ife and Oyo regions.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing the OSIFE name was Akinosife, a renowned hunter and warrior who lived in the late 16th century. He was celebrated for his bravery and skill in defending the Oyo kingdom against rival armies.

In the 18th century, the OSIFE name gained further prominence with Ologunoshife, a respected leader and advisor to the Alaafin (king) of the Oyo Empire. His wisdom and counsel were highly valued during a period of territorial expansion and conflict.

During the 19th century, the OSIFE surname became more widespread as families migrated from the Ife and Oyo regions to other parts of what is now modern-day Nigeria. Notable figures from this era include Ogunoshife, a skilled blacksmith and toolmaker who lived in the city of Abeokuta, and Oluwashife, a prominent trader and merchant who established trade routes across the region.

Another significant individual was Ogundoshife, a respected Ifa priest and herbalist who practiced in the town of Ile-Oluji in the late 19th century. His knowledge of traditional Yoruba medicine and spiritual practices earned him a reputation that extended far beyond his local community.

As the Yoruba diaspora spread across West Africa and beyond, the OSIFE name continued to be carried by individuals of Yoruba descent, reflecting their rich cultural heritage and connection to their ancestral homeland.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Osife

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

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

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

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