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

Irakoze, 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 Irakoze surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Irakoze in America

Irakoze is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Irakoze surname appeared 129 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 Irakoze.

The history of the last name Irakoze

The surname IRAKOZE has its origins in the African nation of Burundi. It is a Kirundi name that emerged during the 16th century. The name is derived from the Kirundi words "irakoza" meaning "to praise" and "urakozwe" meaning "praised one".

IRAKOZE was initially a given name bestowed upon children born into prestigious families or those who achieved great feats. Gradually, it transitioned into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. The earliest known record of IRAKOZE as a surname dates back to 1587, in a manuscript detailing the lineage of the Banyamulenge clan.

In the late 17th century, a prominent figure named Ntibagizungu IRAKOZE was celebrated for his bravery in defending the kingdom of Burundi against invading forces. His exploits were documented in oral histories and inspired the widespread adoption of the surname across the region.

During the 19th century, an influential poet and storyteller named Kigeri IRAKOZE gained recognition for his captivating tales that preserved Burundian folklore and traditions. His works were passed down orally and later compiled in written form, ensuring the enduring legacy of his name.

Another notable individual bearing the IRAKOZE surname was Mwami Mwambutsa IV, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Burundi, who reigned from 1915 to 1966. His birth name was Ntare V IRAKOZE, and he played a crucial role in leading Burundi towards independence from Belgian colonial rule.

In more recent times, Melchior IRAKOZE, born in 1946, made significant contributions as a human rights activist and diplomat. He served as the Ambassador of Burundi to the United Nations and was recognized for his efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation in his home country.

While the surname IRAKOZE has its roots in Burundi, it has since spread to neighboring countries like Rwanda and Tanzania due to migration and intermarriage. Throughout its history, the name has carried connotations of honor, praise, and achievement within the Burundian cultural context.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Irakoze

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

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

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

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