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

Otu, 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 Otu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Otu in America

Otu is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Otu surname appeared 122 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 Otu.

The history of the last name Otu

The surname OTU has its origins in Nigeria, West Africa. It is a name that can be traced back to the 16th century, originating from the Yoruba people, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. The name is believed to derive from the Yoruba word "otu," meaning "society" or "group," suggesting a possible connection to a specific clan or community within the Yoruba tribe.

Among the earliest recorded instances of the name, OTU appeared in oral histories and folklore of the Yoruba people, passed down through generations of storytellers and griots. These tales often depicted individuals with the surname as respected members of their communities, known for their wisdom, leadership, and contributions to the cultural traditions of their people.

In the 17th century, the name OTU was documented in written records kept by European explorers and traders who visited the region. These accounts provided insights into the social structure and customs of the Yoruba people, occasionally mentioning individuals bearing the OTU surname in positions of authority or influence.

One notable figure from this era was Oba Adeyemi OTU, a powerful ruler of the Oyo Empire in the late 17th century. He was renowned for his military prowess and his efforts to expand the empire's territories, cementing the OTU name as a symbol of strength and leadership within the Yoruba people.

As the centuries passed, the OTU surname continued to be prevalent among the Yoruba diaspora, with members of the family scattered across various regions of Nigeria and beyond. In the 19th century, Oluwole OTU, a renowned scholar and educator, made significant contributions to the preservation of Yoruba language and culture, establishing schools and publishing works that helped preserve the rich heritage of his people.

During the 20th century, several prominent figures with the OTU surname emerged, including Adebayo OTU, a celebrated writer and playwright who explored themes of identity, tradition, and modernity in his works. Femi OTU, a renowned musician and composer, gained international recognition for his fusion of traditional Yoruba music with contemporary styles, captivating audiences across the globe.

Other notable individuals bearing the OTU surname include Folake OTU, a pioneering journalist and human rights activist who fought tirelessly for press freedom and social justice in Nigeria, and Tunde OTU, a respected businessman and philanthropist whose charitable initiatives have had a profound impact on communities across West Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Otu

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

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

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

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