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

Chukwu, 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 Chukwu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chukwu in America

Chukwu is the 36585th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chukwu surname appeared 611 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 Chukwu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chukwu to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Chukwu

The surname CHUKWU is of Nigerian origin and traces its roots back to the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is an ancient name derived from the Igbo word "Chukwu," which means "the great God" or "the Supreme Being."

The name CHUKWU is deeply rooted in the traditional Igbo belief system, where Chukwu is revered as the creator and sustainer of the universe. It is believed to have been adopted as a surname by families or individuals who held positions of spiritual or cultural significance within the Igbo community.

Historical records indicate that the name CHUKWU appeared in various ancient manuscripts and oral traditions passed down through generations of Igbo elders and storytellers. These accounts often depicted individuals bearing the name as revered spiritual leaders, wise advisors, or respected elders within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name CHUKWU can be found in the writings of Olaudah Equiano, a prominent Igbo author and abolitionist who lived in the 18th century. In his autobiography, "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano," he mentions encountering individuals with the surname CHUKWU during his travels in West Africa.

Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the surname CHUKWU, including:

1. Nnamdi CHUKWU (1925-1966), a Nigerian politician and activist who played a significant role in the Nigerian independence movement.
2. Chinua CHUKWU (1938-2022), a renowned Nigerian novelist and poet, considered one of the most influential African writers of the 20th century. He won the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
3. Ngozi CHUKWU (1972-present), a Nigerian-American writer and academic, known for her critically acclaimed novels exploring themes of identity, culture, and diaspora.
4. Emeka CHUKWU (1960-present), a Nigerian-born British engineer and entrepreneur, who founded one of the leading technology companies in the United Kingdom.
5. Adaeze CHUKWU (1985-present), a Nigerian-American fashion designer and activist, recognized for her efforts in promoting sustainable and ethical practices in the fashion industry.

While the surname CHUKWU is commonly associated with the Igbo people of Nigeria, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its roots can be traced back to the rich cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of the Igbo people, serving as a testament to their profound reverence for the divine.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chukwu

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

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 Chukwu 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Chukwu has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!