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

Ekpe, 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 Ekpe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ekpe in America

Ekpe is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ekpe surname appeared 143 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 Ekpe.

The history of the last name Ekpe

The surname "EKPE" originated in Nigeria, West Africa, and can be traced back to the Efik people of the Cross River State region. The name is believed to have derived from the Efik word "ekpe," which refers to a powerful and influential secret society or cult that played a significant role in the political and social life of the Efik people.

The Ekpe society was known for its masquerades, rituals, and strict code of conduct, and membership was reserved for elite members of the community. The society wielded considerable influence and was responsible for maintaining law and order, settling disputes, and protecting the interests of the Efik people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "EKPE" can be found in historical accounts of the Efik people from the 18th and 19th centuries. British explorers and traders who visited the region during this period often mentioned the Ekpe society and its powerful influence over the Efik communities.

Among the notable individuals with the surname "EKPE" was Chief Ekpe Bassey Essien (1847-1925), a prominent Efik leader and trader who played a significant role in the development of the region's palm oil trade. Another notable figure was Princess Ekpe Ndem (1869-1946), a respected member of the Efik royal family and a prominent figure in the Ekpe society.

In the 20th century, the surname "EKPE" began to spread beyond the Cross River State region as members of the Efik community migrated to other parts of Nigeria and abroad. Some notable individuals with this surname include:

1. Chief Ekpe Okon Bassey (1902-1979), a prominent businessman and community leader in Calabar, Nigeria.
2. Professor Ekpe Udoh (1928-2004), a renowned Nigerian academic and educator who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
3. Chief Ekpe Ekpu (1943-), a renowned Nigerian journalist and writer who has worked for various publications, including The Guardian and The Punch.
4. Chief Ekpe Ogbu (1951-), a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who has made significant contributions to the development of his community.
5. Chief Ekpe Anam (1962-), a Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist who has been instrumental in promoting legal reforms in Nigeria.

While the surname "EKPE" has its roots in the Efik people of Nigeria, it has since gained recognition and significance across various parts of the country and beyond, with individuals bearing this name making notable contributions in various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ekpe

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ekpe, 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!