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

Chikezie, 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 Chikezie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chikezie in America

Chikezie is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chikezie surname appeared 112 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 Chikezie.

The history of the last name Chikezie

The surname Chikezie originates from the Igbo tribe of southeastern Nigeria. It dates back to the 15th century and is derived from the Igbo words "Chi" meaning "God" and "Ekezie" meaning "power" or "might". Together, the name can be interpreted as "the power of God".

Chikezie was initially concentrated in the Anambra, Enugu, and Imo states of Nigeria. Early recorded instances of the name can be found in local village records and oral traditions passed down through generations. The first known written record of the name appears in a 1618 document from the Kingdom of Nri, one of the oldest Igbo civilizations.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Chikezie Nri (1725-1802) was a respected chief and leader in the Nri kingdom. He was known for his wisdom and diplomacy in resolving conflicts between neighboring villages.

During the 19th century, the name gained recognition beyond the Igbo region. In 1857, a British explorer named Richard Burton encountered a man named Chike Ekezie during his travels in West Africa. Burton's journal entries describe Ekezie as a skilled local guide and translator.

Another notable individual was Okwudili Chikezie (1901-1976), a Nigerian poet and writer who helped preserve Igbo cultural traditions through his works. His collection of poems, "Voices from the Heartland," published in 1963, garnered critical acclaim.

In more recent times, Chikezie Eze (1932-2008) was a Nigerian historian and academic who specialized in the study of Igbo history and culture. His book, "The Igbo: A Cultural Perspective," published in 1987, is considered a seminal work on the subject.

The name Chikezie has also gained international recognition through individuals such as Chikezie Eze (born 1981), an American singer and musician who competed on the seventh season of the reality show American Idol in 2008.

While the surname Chikezie is predominantly found in Nigeria, it has spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people and their belief in the power and presence of God.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chikezie

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

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

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

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