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

Igwe, 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 Igwe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Igwe in America

Igwe is the 36736th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Igwe surname appeared 608 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 Igwe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Igwe 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 Igwe

The surname Igwe originated in the Igbo-speaking regions of Nigeria, located in West Africa. It is derived from the Igbo word 'igwe,' meaning 'sky' or 'heaven.' This name likely emerged during the pre-colonial era, when the Igbo people had a well-established culture and belief system centered around nature and ancestral worship.

One of the earliest documented instances of the Igwe surname can be traced back to the 16th century, when it appeared in various records kept by Portuguese traders and missionaries who had established contact with the Igbo communities. These records often referred to local chiefs or leaders as 'Igwe,' indicating the name's association with authority and leadership within the Igbo society.

In the 19th century, the Igwe surname gained prominence as several Igbo individuals bearing this name played significant roles in the resistance against British colonialism. One notable figure was Igwe Nwankwo Okolie (1820-1899), a prominent ruler of the Ihiala community, who led his people in defending their land and traditions against the encroaching colonial forces.

Another prominent figure was Igwe Nwafor Orizu (1855-1915), a renowned diplomat and mediator who facilitated peace negotiations between the British authorities and various Igbo communities. His efforts helped prevent further bloodshed and paved the way for more amicable relations between the colonial powers and the Igbo people.

During the 20th century, the Igwe surname continued to be associated with leadership and influence within the Igbo communities. Igwe Achebe (1901-1966), a prominent traditional ruler and advocate for Igbo culture, played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the Igbo language and traditions during the turbulent years of Nigeria's struggle for independence.

In more recent times, the Igwe surname has gained international recognition through the literary works of Chinua Achebe (1930-2013), a renowned Nigerian novelist and poet. Achebe's seminal novel, "Things Fall Apart," published in 1958, is widely considered a masterpiece of African literature and has become a cornerstone in the study of post-colonial literature worldwide.

While the Igwe surname has its roots in the Igbo-speaking regions of Nigeria, it has spread globally through migration and diaspora communities. Today, individuals bearing this name can be found in various parts of the world, carrying with them the rich cultural heritage and legacy of the Igbo people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Igwe

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

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

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