Ibe
A feminine name of Nigerian Igbo origin meaning "good thing".
Name Census estimates that about 7 living Americans carry the first name Ibe. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Ibe today is around 46 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Ibe births was 1977 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Ibe. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Ibe. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
7
~ 1 in 48,964,905 Americans
Peak year
1977
7 babies that year
Average age
46
years old
1977 SSA rank
#4,800
Tracked since 1977
Popularity
Ibe: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Ibe by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Ibe during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Ibe
The name Ibe is of African origin, specifically from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It has its roots in the Igbo language, one of the major languages spoken in Nigeria. The name Ibe is believed to have emerged during the 15th or 16th century, when the Igbo culture and language were flourishing in this region.
One of the earliest known references to the name Ibe can be found in the oral traditions and folktales of the Igbo people. It is said that the name was often given to children born during times of peace and prosperity, as it symbolized unity and brotherhood among the Igbo communities.
The name Ibe is derived from the Igbo word "ibe," which means "relative," "kinsman," or "brother." It reflects the strong emphasis placed on family ties, community, and kinship within Igbo society. The name was often bestowed upon children as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strong bonds with one's family and community.
One notable historical figure bearing the name Ibe was Ibe Nwachukwu, a prominent Igbo trader and diplomat who lived in the late 18th century. He played a crucial role in facilitating trade relations between the Igbo people and European merchants, contributing to the economic growth of the region.
Another influential individual with the name Ibe was Ibe Arinze, an Igbo writer and scholar who lived in the early 20th century. He was instrumental in preserving and documenting Igbo culture, language, and traditions through his literary works and research.
In the realm of sports, Ibe Ananabo, a Nigerian footballer who played as a striker, gained recognition during the 1980s and 1990s. He represented Nigeria at the international level and played for various clubs in Nigeria and Europe.
Ibe Uwalaka, a Nigerian-American actor and filmmaker, has also made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Born in the late 20th century, he has appeared in several films and television shows, showcasing his talent and versatility as a performer.
Ibe Kachikwu, a Nigerian politician and businessman, served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources in Nigeria from 2015 to 2019. He played a significant role in implementing reforms and policies aimed at improving the country's oil and gas sector.
People
Ibe + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Ibe as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with I
Other first names starting with I with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Ibe: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Ibe?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 7 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Ibe going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 48,964,905 US residents.
Is Ibe a common name?
We classify Ibe as "Very Rare". It ranks above 23.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 7 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Ibe most popular?
The single biggest year for Ibe was 1977, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Ibe is about 46 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Ibe in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Ibe a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Ibe in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Ibe still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Ibe in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Ibe can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Ibe?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.