Find out how popular the last name Achebe is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Achebe.

Achebe, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Achebe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Achebe in America

Achebe is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Achebe surname appeared 128 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Achebe.

The history of the last name Achebe

The surname Achebe originated in Nigeria among the Igbo people. It is derived from the Igbo name "Ache," which means "footpath" or "path maker." The name likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived or worked near a path or trail.

The earliest recorded instances of the Achebe surname date back to the 16th century in the region that is now southeastern Nigeria. Historical records from that time period mention individuals with the name, though the spelling varied slightly, with variations like Achebeh or Achebee being recorded.

One of the earliest known individuals with the Achebe surname was Nnamdi Achebe, a village chief and local leader in the late 16th century. He is mentioned in oral histories and some written accounts from the time period as being influential in establishing trade routes and promoting peaceful relations between neighboring communities.

In the 18th century, the Achebe name appears in records related to the establishment of the Arochukwu Kingdom, a powerful Igbo state that played a significant role in the slave trade. There are references to individuals with the Achebe surname serving as advisors and officials within the kingdom's administration.

The most famous individual with the Achebe surname is undoubtedly Chinua Achebe, the renowned Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who was born in 1930 and passed away in 2013. His novel "Things Fall Apart," published in 1958, is considered a seminal work of African literature and a modern classic. Achebe is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Another notable figure with the Achebe surname is Nwando Achebe, a historian and author who was born in 1967. She is a professor at Michigan State University and has written extensively on the history of the Igbo people and the Nigerian Civil War.

In the 19th century, the Achebe surname is found in records related to the establishment of Christian missions in southeastern Nigeria. There are accounts of individuals with the name being among the early converts to Christianity and playing roles in the spread of the religion in the region.

While the Achebe surname originated among the Igbo people of Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its roots and historical significance remain firmly tied to the Igbo culture and the regions of southeastern Nigeria where it first emerged.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Achebe

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Achebe.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Achebe was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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