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

Otavalo, 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 Otavalo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Otavalo in America

Otavalo is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Otavalo surname appeared 102 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 Otavalo.

The history of the last name Otavalo

The surname Otavalo is believed to have originated in Ecuador, derived from the town of the same name located in the Imbabura province of the country. The town of Otavalo is known for its indigenous Quichua population, who have lived in the region for centuries.

The name Otavalo is thought to have its roots in the Quichua language, which was spoken by the indigenous people of the area long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The exact meaning and etymology of the word are not entirely clear, but some scholars suggest it may be related to words meaning "place of rest" or "resting place."

Historical records and documents from the colonial era in Ecuador mention the town of Otavalo and its inhabitants, indicating that the surname was likely in use by the 16th century. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in church records and census documents from that time period.

One notable individual with the surname Otavalo was Juan Otavalo, a renowned Quichua leader and diplomat who lived in the late 16th century. He played a significant role in negotiating between the Spanish colonial authorities and the indigenous communities of the region.

In the 18th century, Maria Otavalo, a skilled weaver and artisan from the town of Otavalo, gained recognition for her intricate textiles and tapestries, which depicted scenes from Quichua culture and traditions.

During the 19th century, a prominent family with the surname Otavalo owned large haciendas (estates) in the Imbabura province, where they were influential landowners and played a role in the region's agriculture and textile industries.

Another notable figure was Pedro Otavalo, a respected artist and painter who lived in the early 20th century. His works captured the landscapes and daily life of the Otavalo region, and his paintings are now part of several collections in Ecuador.

In the mid-20th century, Manuel Otavalo was a renowned musician and composer who helped preserve and promote the traditional music of the Quichua people. His compositions and performances brought the unique sounds of Otavalo to a wider audience.

While the surname Otavalo is primarily associated with Ecuador and the indigenous Quichua population, it has also spread to other parts of Latin America and beyond through migration and cultural exchange.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Otavalo

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

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

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

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