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

Owolabi, 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 Owolabi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Owolabi in America

Owolabi is the 48800th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Owolabi surname appeared 432 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 Owolabi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Owolabi 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 Owolabi

The surname "OWOLABI" is of Nigerian origin, deriving from the Yoruba language. It is a compound name formed from the words "owo" meaning "wealth" or "prosperity," and "ola" meaning "honor" or "dignity." The suffix "-bi" is a common ending in Yoruba names, indicating a quality or characteristic. Thus, the name OWOLABI can be interpreted as "one who brings or possesses honorable wealth or prosperity."

The Yoruba people are an ethnic group predominantly found in southwestern Nigeria, with some populations also present in neighboring countries like Benin and Togo. The name OWOLABI is believed to have emerged within the Yoruba cultural sphere during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 13th or 14th century.

Historically, the name OWOLABI can be traced back to the ancient Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba kingdom that flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries. It is likely that the name was borne by individuals of noble or distinguished lineage within the empire, as the meaning suggests a person of honorable wealth and standing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name OWOLABI can be found in the oral traditions and historical accounts passed down through generations of Yoruba storytellers and griots. These narratives often featured individuals bearing the name, highlighting their achievements and contributions to the community.

Notable figures throughout history who carried the surname OWOLABI include:

1. Owolabi Adegboyega (1893-1972), a prominent Nigerian educator and one of the founding members of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa, a cultural organization dedicated to promoting Yoruba heritage.

2. Owolabi Akinwande (1912-1988), a renowned Nigerian playwright and author, best known for his influential work "Ìgbàkejì," which explored themes of cultural identity and tradition.

3. Owolabi Olunloyo (1920-2003), a distinguished Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence and the development of its legal system.

4. Owolabi Amosun (1937-2011), a celebrated Nigerian artist and sculptor, whose works showcased the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yoruba people.

5. Owolabi Ogundeji (1949-present), a prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, recognized for his contributions to economic development and social welfare initiatives in his home country.

While the surname OWOLABI has its roots in the Yoruba culture, it has since spread to other parts of Nigeria and beyond, as people migrated and settled in different regions. The name continues to be a source of pride and cultural identity for those who bear it, serving as a reminder of the rich heritage and values associated with honorable wealth and dignity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Owolabi

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

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

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

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