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

Chigbu, 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 Chigbu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chigbu in America

Chigbu is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chigbu surname appeared 101 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 Chigbu.

The history of the last name Chigbu

The surname "CHIGBU" is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have originated in the 15th or 16th century, during the era of the Nri Kingdom and the subsequent rise of various Igbo city-states and villages.

The name "CHIGBU" is derived from the Igbo language, where "Chi" means "God" or "divine," and "gbu" means "to challenge" or "to confront." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "one who challenges God" or "one who confronts the divine." This name likely had spiritual or religious connotations in its early use.

There are no known historical records or manuscripts that specifically mention the surname "CHIGBU" from ancient times. However, it is possible that variations of the name existed in oral traditions or local records that have not been preserved or documented.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "CHIGBU" dates back to the late 18th or early 19th century, when Igbo communities were becoming more organized and documented. During this period, the name appears in local records and documents related to trade, land ownership, and community affairs.

In the 19th century, a notable figure with the surname "CHIGBU" was Nwachukwu Chigbu, a prominent trader and community leader from the town of Awka. He played a significant role in facilitating trade routes and fostering economic growth in the region.

Another individual of note was Onyekachi Chigbu, born in the late 19th century, who was a respected healer and herbalist in his local community. His knowledge of traditional Igbo medicine was widely renowned and passed down through generations.

During the 20th century, several individuals with the surname "CHIGBU" made contributions in various fields. One such person was Emeka Chigbu, born in 1932, who was a renowned artist and sculptor, known for his intricate woodcarvings depicting Igbo culture and traditions.

Additionally, Nneka Chigbu, born in 1958, was a pioneering female academic and researcher in the field of environmental science. Her work focused on sustainable development and the preservation of natural resources in Nigeria.

Lastly, Chukwuemeka Chigbu, born in 1975, is a contemporary Nigerian writer and poet whose works explore themes of identity, tradition, and the complexities of modern African life.

While the surname "CHIGBU" has its roots in the Igbo culture of southeastern Nigeria, it has since spread across the country and beyond, carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various spheres of life throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chigbu

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

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 Chigbu 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 Chigbu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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