Surname Odara - Meaning and Origin

Odara: What does the surname Odara mean?

Odara is a unique surname that is believed to originate from the Yoruba language, spoken in parts of West Africa such as Nigeria and Benin. In Yoruba, "Odara" translates to "it's beautiful" or "one who is beautiful". The name could signify someone of beauty or who has a beautiful character or disposition. However, due to the potential for cultural and linguistic differences, the meaning may vary across regions. Though it's a rare surname, it's sometimes used as a female first name, particularly among Yoruba-speaking communities. As a surname, it is less common, with few people around the world bearing this name, according to available population data. Like many surnames, Odara most likely originated as a nickname that eventually transformed into a family name. Remember, surnames often reflect a person’s trade, their father’s name, or their dwelling place. But in this case, Odara corresponds more to a positive attribute rather than a geographic location or profession.

Odara: Where does the name Odara come from?

The surname Odara is most commonly found in Nigeria today. It is a Yoruba surname derived from the word “Odara” which means “one who is overflowing” or “outstanding” in the native Yoruba language. The Odara surname is thought to have originated in the Benin Empire of modern day Nigeria and is believed to originally come from the Yoruba-speaking tribe of the Edo people, who are indigenous to the area. It is also found in other African countries, such as the Ghana, Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Angola.

In Nigeria, the Odara surname is primarily located in the southwestern regions of the country, particularly the Yoruba state of Oyo. However, the name is dispersed throughout many parts of Nigeria, and can also be found amongst the Yoruba diaspora in other African countries.

More recently, the Odara surname has started to be used in the United States among those of Nigerian heritage, with the name especially concentrated in Texas and other southern states.

The Odara surname has a long and rich history in both in Nigeria and beyond. It is associated with strength, pride, and ambition, qualities that the Yoruba people have historically embodied. For this reason, the Odara surname has remained beloved and widely-used among many in Nigeria and its diaspora.

Variations of the surname Odara

The surname Odara is of Nigerian origin and has various variants and spellings. The most common spellings are Odara, Odaraa and Odaara. In addition, the surname also appears as Odari, Odarra, Odera, Oderra, Odaarra, Odarri, Oderri and Oderari.

The variants and spellings may also appear with an extra letter such as Odaarrah and Odarrrah.

Other surnames with a similar origin include Odaray, Odoray, Odarayi, Odorayi and Oderayi.

The surname Odara is derived from an ancient Nigerian Yoruba phrase meaning "his/her friends are great." This phrase is likely to refer to the support system, kindness and companionship that a person receives from their friends and family.

The surname is also thought to derive from the name of the Odara twins in Ghanaian folklore. The twins, said to be rulers of the sea, were deeply revered.

For families whose surname is Odara, the spelling of their surname will depend on the region, location or speaker of the language. For example, in Nigeria, the spelling of the surname might be Odaraa or Odaara, while in Ghana, the surname might, in some cases, be Odaray, Odoray or even Odaarrrah.

For people who share the same origin, many will be proud to all share the same strong family heritage and culture.

Famous people with the name Odara

• Paul Odara: A Nigerian fashion designer and fashion entrepreneur, he is a brand ambassador for Fotoraj and Dubied Pleat.
• Yekini Odara: A Nigerian actor and singer, he is the lead singer of the band Graffica.
• David Odara: A Nigerian cinematographer and producer, he is known for his work on films such as Father of All Things, Marry Me and Where is My Mind.
• David W. Odara: A Nigerian doctor and medical researcher, he is a professor of surgery at the University of Port Harcourt and an honorary professor of medicine at the University of London.
• Kwame Odara: A Ghanaian football player, he currently plays for DC United in the MLS to his latest success in the league.
• Nathan Odara: A British singer-songwriter, he is signed to Virgin Records and has released a number of singles including "Take a Look Around," "Feelin' Good" and "On My Mind."
• Richard Odara: An American artist, he is known for his abstract expressionist paintings. His works have been exhibited at galleries across the United States.
• Salim Odara: An Egyptian actor and comedian, he is best known for his roles in films such as The Messenger and The Hunt.
• Na-Na Odara: A Nigerian fashion editor, writer and stylist, she is the founder of the Odara wardrobe collection.
• Banji Odara: A Nigerian entrepreneur, he is the CEO of the online marketplace Town-Market and has also co-founded an online learning platform.

Other surnames

OdarODare