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

Ibekwe, 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 Ibekwe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ibekwe in America

Ibekwe is the 81458th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ibekwe surname appeared 232 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 Ibekwe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ibekwe 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 Ibekwe

The surname IBEKWE is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Igbo ethnic group. It emerged in the late 15th century and is derived from a combination of the Igbo words "ibe" meaning "people" and "kwe" meaning "sacred".

The name is believed to have originated in the eastern region of Nigeria, particularly in the areas that are now known as Enugu and Anambra states. These regions were home to several Igbo communities and kingdoms during the pre-colonial era.

One of the earliest known references to the name IBEKWE can be found in oral traditions and folklore from the Igbo people. These stories often mention individuals with this surname who were revered as wise elders, skilled traders, or respected leaders within their communities.

In the 17th century, there are records of an IBEKWE family that held a prominent position in the Nri Kingdom, an ancient Igbo civilization known for its advanced system of governance and trade networks. The family's influence extended throughout the region, and they were often sought after for their expertise in dispute resolution and traditional ceremonies.

Notable individuals with the surname IBEKWE include:

1. Okosi IBEKWE (c. 1610 - 1685), a renowned trader and diplomat who facilitated trade agreements between the Nri Kingdom and neighboring communities.

2. Nwakamma IBEKWE (1745 - 1820), a respected elder and oral historian who played a vital role in preserving the cultural traditions and narratives of the Igbo people.

3. Obidike IBEKWE (1825 - 1901), a prominent figure in the resistance against British colonial expansion in the late 19th century. He organized local militias and led negotiations with the British authorities.

4. Nwanyibuife IBEKWE (1870 - 1948), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She established one of the first schools for girls in her community and campaigned for greater educational opportunities for women.

5. Chukwuemeka IBEKWE (1910 - 1988), a renowned writer and playwright whose works explored the impact of colonialism and the struggle for independence in Nigeria. His plays were widely performed and celebrated throughout the country.

The IBEKWE surname has a rich history deeply rooted in the cultural and political fabric of the Igbo people in Nigeria. Its origins can be traced back to the pre-colonial era, and it has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and the broader Nigerian society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ibekwe

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

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

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