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

Oyedele, 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 Oyedele surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oyedele in America

Oyedele is the 145220th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oyedele surname appeared 114 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 Oyedele.

The history of the last name Oyedele

The surname Oyedele originated from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two words in the Yoruba language: "oye" meaning "to praise" and "dele" meaning "to arrive" or "to become". Thus, the name Oyedele can be interpreted as "one who has arrived to be praised".

This name dates back several centuries and was likely first used by the Yoruba people to denote someone who had achieved a significant accomplishment or status worthy of praise. The name may have been given as a mark of respect or as a way to commemorate a notable event or achievement.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Oyedele can be found in historical documents and records from the Yoruba kingdoms of the 16th and 17th centuries. These include chronicles and oral traditions passed down through generations, documenting important figures and events in Yoruba history.

One notable bearer of the name Oyedele was Oba Oyedele Ajayi, a ruler of the Oyo Empire in the late 17th century. He is remembered for his military conquests and expansion of the empire's territories. Another prominent figure was Oyedele Oguntola, a revered Yoruba scholar and philosopher from the 19th century, known for his contributions to the preservation of Yoruba cultural traditions.

In the early 20th century, Oyedele Akinola was a respected educator and advocate for women's rights in Nigeria. She played a pivotal role in establishing schools and promoting education for girls in the country.

Another notable Oyedele was Oyedele Adebayo, a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 1970s. He was instrumental in shaping Nigeria's foreign policy during a critical period in the country's history.

While the name Oyedele is primarily associated with the Yoruba people of Nigeria, it has also been adopted by other Nigerian ethnic groups over time. As people migrated and intermarried, the name spread to other parts of the country, carrying with it its rich cultural heritage and significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oyedele

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

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

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

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