Explore the Family Name Popoola

The meaning of Popoola

West African (Nigeria): from the Yoruba personal name Pópóo̩lá, from pópó o̩lá ‘road to high estate’, understood as o̩mo̩ yìí to̩ pópó o̩lá ‘this child has taken the road to high estate’.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Popoola in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Popoola has significantly increased between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Popoola ranked 79,676 in popularity, but by 2010, it had jumped to 57,101, marking a substantial change of 28.33%. The count of individuals with this surname also grew from 222 in 2000 to 357 in 2010, representing a growth rate of 60.81%. Consequently, the proportion of people named Popoola per 100,000 in the population rose by 50% over the same period.

20002010Change
Rank#79,676#57,10128.33%
Count22235760.81%
Proportion per 100k0.080.1250%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Popoola

Turning to the ethnic identity associated with the surname Popoola, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that this name is predominantly found within the Black community. Specifically, in 2000, 94.59% of Popoolas identified as Black, and this percentage slightly increased to 95.52% by 2010. Over the same decade, there was also a small increase in the percentage of Popoolas who identify as Hispanic, going from 2.25% to 3.08%. However, no Popoolas identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, White, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either 2000 or 2010.

20002010Change
Black94.59%95.52%0.98%
Hispanic2.25%3.08%36.89%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
Two or More Races0%0%0%
White0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%