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

Otoo, 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 Otoo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Otoo in America

Otoo is the 66931st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Otoo surname appeared 295 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 Otoo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Otoo 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 Otoo

The surname OTOO originated in Ghana, West Africa, and has its roots in the Akan language spoken by the Ashanti people. The name can be traced back to the 16th century and is believed to have derived from the Akan word "otuo," which means "truthful" or "honest."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the OTOO surname can be found in the historical records of the Ashanti Kingdom, where it was mentioned in connection with a prominent family known for their honesty and integrity. The name was also associated with the Ashanti warrior class, as individuals bearing the OTOO surname were known for their bravery and truthfulness in battle.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Nana Opoku OTOO (1700-1780) rose to prominence as a respected chief and advisor to the Ashanti King. His wisdom and fair judgments earned him a reputation as a just and truthful leader, further solidifying the OTOO name's association with honesty.

Another historical figure bearing the OTOO surname was Kwame OTOO (1820-1890), a renowned Ashanti scholar and linguist who played a significant role in preserving the Akan language and cultural traditions. His contributions to the study of Akan linguistics and literature are widely recognized.

During the colonial era, the OTOO surname gained recognition beyond Ghana's borders. One notable individual was Kofi OTOO (1860-1935), a Ghanaian merchant and diplomat who represented the interests of the Ashanti people in negotiations with British colonial authorities. His diplomatic skills and truthful nature earned him respect from both sides.

In more recent times, the OTOO surname has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. For example, Kwesi OTOO (1945-2010) was a renowned Ghanaian artist known for his vibrant paintings depicting traditional Ashanti life and culture.

Throughout its history, the surname OTOO has maintained its association with truthfulness, honesty, and integrity, reflecting the values held by the Ashanti people and their cultural traditions. While the name has spread across Ghana and beyond, its roots remain firmly grounded in the rich heritage of the Akan language and the Ashanti Kingdom.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Otoo

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

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

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

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