Ifenna
A Nigerian feminine name meaning "Nothing is impossible for God".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Ifenna. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Ifenna today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Ifenna births was 2016 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Ifenna. 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.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Ifenna with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Ifenna. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2016
5 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2016 SSA rank
#12,943
Tracked since 2016
Popularity
Ifenna: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Ifenna 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 Ifenna during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Ifenna
The name Ifenna has its origins in the Igbo language and culture, which is native to the southeastern part of Nigeria. It is believed to have originated sometime between the 15th and 17th centuries, during the height of the Nri Kingdom and the early days of the Igbo civilization.
Ifenna is a combination of two Igbo words: "Ife," meaning "love" or "affection," and "nna," meaning "father" or "paternal figure." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "father's love" or "love of a father." This name reflects the Igbo cultural emphasis on family ties, respect for elders, and the importance of paternal figures.
While there are no known references to the name Ifenna in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been in use among the Igbo people for centuries. Some of the earliest recorded instances of individuals bearing this name can be found in historical records and oral traditions from the 18th and 19th centuries.
One notable historical figure with the name Ifenna was Ifenna Okpara, a prominent Igbo chief and warrior who lived in the late 18th century. He was renowned for his bravery and leadership skills, and played a significant role in defending his community against invaders.
Another famous individual with the name Ifenna was Ifenna Nzegwu, a renowned Igbo artist and sculptor who lived in the early 20th century (1895-1968). His works, which depicted various aspects of Igbo culture and traditions, are celebrated for their intricate details and artistic excellence.
In the realm of literature, Ifenna Okorie (1928-2001) was a Nigerian poet and playwright whose works explored themes of identity, tradition, and societal change. Her play "Daughters of the Goddess" was widely acclaimed and brought her international recognition.
More recently, Ifenna Okwenna (born 1958) is a Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist who has made significant contributions to the development of education and healthcare initiatives in her home country.
Ifenna Kalu (born 1975) is a Nigerian-American actress and filmmaker who has appeared in several Hollywood productions, including notable roles in the TV series "Homeland" and the movie "Beasts of No Nation."
While the name Ifenna is predominantly found among the Igbo people of Nigeria, its meaning and cultural significance have resonated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, making it a name with a rich history and enduring appeal.
People
Ifenna + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Ifenna 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
Ifenna: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Ifenna?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Ifenna 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Ifenna a common name?
We classify Ifenna as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Ifenna most popular?
The single biggest year for Ifenna was 2016, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Ifenna is about 10 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 Ifenna in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Ifenna a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Ifenna 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 Ifenna still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Ifenna 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 Ifenna 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 are called Ifenna?
You can see how many people share the name Ifenna on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.