Azikiwe first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Azikiwe has been for the last 5 years (from 1979 to 1983) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Azikiwe

A masculine Nigerian name meaning "the nation has conquered."

Popularity of Azikiwe by gender

Based on the last 5 years of data, Azikiwe is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1983, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Azikiwe.

Year Male Count Female Count
1983 7 0
1979 6 0

The history of the first name Azikiwe

The name Azikiwe is of Igbo origin, originating from the ethnic group found primarily in southeastern Nigeria. It is a compound word derived from the Igbo words "azi," meaning "great," and "ike," meaning "power" or "strength." Therefore, the name Azikiwe can be interpreted as "great power" or "great strength."

The Igbo people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries, and their naming traditions hold deep significance. Names are often chosen to reflect desired qualities, aspirations, or significant events surrounding a child's birth. The name Azikiwe is believed to have been in use among the Igbo communities for several generations, though its exact origin is difficult to pinpoint.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Azikiwe can be found in the figure of Nnamdi Azikiwe, a prominent Nigerian statesman and political leader who played a pivotal role in Nigeria's independence from British colonial rule. Nnamdi Azikiwe, born in 1904 and died in 1996, was a prominent advocate for Nigerian nationalism and is widely regarded as the father of Nigerian nationalism.

Another notable figure bearing the name Azikiwe was Chukwuemeka Azikiwe, a Nigerian writer and educator who lived from 1904 to 1968. He was the elder brother of Nnamdi Azikiwe and was also actively involved in the Nigerian independence movement.

In the realm of sports, Azikiwe Nwankwo, a Nigerian professional football player, born in 1987, has made a name for himself as a striker for various clubs in Nigeria and Europe.

Azikiwe Crisler, an American professional basketball player born in 1997, is another individual who carries this name. He currently plays for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA.

Historically, the name Azikiwe has also been associated with strength, leadership, and the pursuit of excellence. While its exact origins may be difficult to trace, the name has become deeply ingrained in Nigerian culture and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and nations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Azikiwe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Azikiwe first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 20, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/azikiwe-meaning-and-history/.

"Azikiwe first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/azikiwe-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 20 May, 2025

Azikiwe first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/azikiwe-meaning-and-history/.

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