Surname Ogun - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Ogun: What does the surname Ogun mean?
Ogun is a surname of Yoruba origin. The Yoruba people are a West African ethnic group inhabiting southwestern Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. In Yoruba mythology, Ogun is a primordial Orisha (deity) in Yoruba religion, which originated in West Africa. He is the god of war, metalworking, and rum-making. His name derives from the Yoruba language, where "Ogun" literally translates to "war" or "combat". As a surname, Ogun is commonly used in Nigeria and by the Yoruba diaspora worldwide. Often, African names offer insights into the circumstances or aspirations linked to a person's birth. Therefore, Ogun may also symbolize attributes such as bravery, strength, or victory in battle. However, surname meanings can vary greatly, and this is just one interpretation.
Order DNA origin analysisOgun: Where does the name Ogun come from?
The last name Ogun is most commonly found in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana. It is an ancient Yoruba name of Ethiopian origin and may have migrated to West Africa through the migration of the Yoruba people from the Middle East.
Today, Ogun is a popular last name in Nigeria; it is estimated that there are over 1.5 million Nigerians bearing the last name Ogun. Additionally, across the world, over 3.4 million people can claim the Ogun surname as their own.
In Nigeria, the Ogun last name is most commonly associated with lineage. This is closely related to the powerful Yoruba god Ogun who is known as the god of war and metal in Yoruba religion; his name has come to be used as a surname gifted to his worshippers. Ogun is known to be the god of iron and metal work, iron forging, and is venerated in Yoruba communities for his might and power.
In Ghana, the Ogun last name is associated with immigrants from Nigeria in the 19th century. At that time, enslaved people were taken to the Gold Coast via the Atlantic Slave Trade, with many of them originating from Yorubaland in West Africa. The last name Ogun signifies a connection to these slaves as well as to their powerful god who was believed to have protected them against harm.
Finally, the Ogun last name is also found in other West African countries such as Benin, Togo, and Sierra Leone, among others. It is also said that the last name can be found in the Caribbean, specifically in Jamaica, as a result of Afro-Indigenous migrations of the 16th century.
Variations of the surname Ogun
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ogun include Ogunde, Ogún, Ogundi, Ogundipe, Ogunbiyi, Ogunfemi and Ogungbade.
Ogun is one of the most powerful of the Yoruba gods, whose domains include Iron and War. This is reflected in many of the surnames that share the same origin, such as Ogundi (properly pronounced oo-GUN-dee), which means "powerful". Ogún, as it is sometimes spelled, has the same meaning.
Ogundipe is also derived from Ogun’s powerful association and in Yoruba it means “the one from Ogun”. Ogunbiyi, Ogunfemi and Ogungbade all mean “son of Ogun” or “of the family of Ogun”.
The name Ogun is not common throughout the world. It is particularly prevalent in West Africa, particularly areas where the Yoruba people are found, such as Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Ghana. It has been exported to countries such as Brazil and Jamaica, which each have large populations of African descent.
Alongside other surnames based on Yoruba gods, it is a reminder of how multicultural and diverse the history of the African diaspora is. Its variants, spellings and surname of the same origin give a unique intonation to their individual character and life journey.
Famous people with the name Ogun
- Chief Olu Ogun, Nigerian politician
- Anikulapo-Kuti Ogun, Nigerian musician
- Wole Ogun, Nigerian artist/painter
- Olufemi Ogun, Nigerian soccer player
- Wande Ogun, Nigerian musician
- Oyebola Ogun, Nigerian playwright
- Funke Ogun, Nigerian broadcaster
- Ifaání Ogun, Nigerian novelist
- Professor Jelili Ogun, Nigerian scholar
- Habib Ogun, Nigerian poet