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

Emenike, 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 Emenike surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Emenike in America

Emenike is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Emenike surname appeared 127 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 Emenike.

The history of the last name Emenike

The surname EMENIKE has its origins in Nigeria, specifically among the Igbo people of the southeastern region. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th to 17th century, a period when the Igbo communities were well-established across the area now known as Igboland.

EMENIKE is derived from the Igbo language, with the root words "Eme" meaning "good" or "well," and "Nike" indicating "something achieved" or "accomplishment." The combination suggests a name denoting someone who has achieved or accomplished something good or praiseworthy.

In early written records from the 18th and 19th centuries, variations of the name appeared, such as Emenike, Emenyka, and Emenykwe. These variations likely stemmed from the challenges of transcribing Igbo names into written form by non-Igbo scribes and chroniclers.

Historical references to individuals bearing the EMENIKE surname can be traced back to the late 18th century. One notable example is Emenike Okoye, a respected community leader and farmer from the town of Awka, who played a pivotal role in resolving a land dispute between neighboring villages in the 1780s.

Another early recorded bearer of the name was Emenike Nwokolo, a trader and merchant from Onitsha, who was active in the transatlantic trade during the early 19th century. His name appears in several ship manifests and trade records from that era.

In the late 19th century, Emenike Ibeto gained recognition as a skilled sculptor and wood carver, renowned for his intricate works depicting Igbo cultural themes and traditions.

During the colonial era in Nigeria, Emenike Nnamani, born in 1885, became a prominent figure in the early nationalist movement, advocating for Igbo rights and self-determination.

More recently, Emmanuel Emenike, a professional football player born in 1987, has brought international recognition to the surname through his successful career playing for various clubs in Europe and representing the Nigerian national team.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the EMENIKE surname throughout history, contributing to its legacy and significance within the Igbo culture and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Emenike

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

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

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

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