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

Ekanem, 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 Ekanem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ekanem in America

Ekanem is the 66931st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ekanem surname appeared 295 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 Ekanem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ekanem 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 Ekanem

The surname Ekanem originated from the Efik people of southern Nigeria, particularly the Akwa Ibom State region. It is believed to have emerged in the late 16th or early 17th century during the rise of the Efik Kingdom, a significant trading power in the Cross River region.

The name Ekanem is derived from the combination of two Efik words: "Eka," meaning "wealth" or "prosperity," and "Nem," which translates to "mine" or "my own." This linguistic origin suggests that the name initially carried associations with wealth, ownership, and possessions.

Early records of the Ekanem surname can be found in oral histories and genealogical accounts passed down through generations within Efik communities. Some of the earliest documented references to individuals bearing this name date back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries, during the peak of the transatlantic slave trade in the Bight of Biafra region.

One notable figure from history was Ekanem Essien, a prominent Efik trader and diplomat who lived in the late 18th century. He played a crucial role in facilitating trade relationships between European merchants and the Efik Kingdom, contributing to the region's economic prosperity.

Another historically significant individual was Ekanem Udo, a respected Efik chief and leader in the early 19th century. He was known for his diplomatic efforts in resolving conflicts between neighboring communities and fostering peace in the region.

In the mid-19th century, Ekanem Akpan emerged as a prominent figure in the Efik Kingdom's resistance against British colonial expansion. He was a vocal advocate for the preservation of Efik autonomy and cultural traditions.

Later in the 19th century, Ekanem Okon gained recognition as a skilled entrepreneur and trader. He established successful trading networks that facilitated the exchange of goods between the Efik Kingdom and other West African regions.

During the 20th century, Ekanem Umoh made significant contributions to the field of education in Nigeria. He played a pivotal role in establishing educational institutions and promoting literacy among the Efik people.

While the Ekanem surname has its roots in the Efik Kingdom of southern Nigeria, it has since spread across the country and to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora. The name continues to carry a rich historical legacy, reflecting the resilience, entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage of the Efik people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ekanem

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

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

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

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