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

Kanu, 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 Kanu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kanu in America

Kanu is the 23675th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kanu surname appeared 1,070 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 Kanu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kanu 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 Kanu

The surname KANU has its origins in Nigeria, with roots dating back to the 15th century. The name is derived from the Igbo language, where it was originally spelled "Kanu" or "Kannu." It is believed to have been derived from the Igbo word "kà nù" or "kà anù," which translates to "let's go" or "let's journey."

This name was particularly prevalent among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, who were known for their trading and exploration activities. It is possible that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who were involved in these travels or expeditions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KANU surname can be found in the oral histories and folklore of the Igbo people, which often celebrated the exploits of renowned traders and explorers. However, there are no known written records of the name from that era, as the Igbo traditionally passed down their histories through oral traditions.

The first documented use of the KANU surname appears in the records of the Royal Niger Company, a British mercantile company that operated in the region in the late 19th century. These records mention several individuals with the KANU surname who were involved in trade and commerce with the company.

One notable figure bearing the KANU surname was Nnamdi KANU, a prominent Nigerian nationalist and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, who was born in 1977. He has been a vocal advocate for the independence of the Biafra region from Nigeria.

Another individual of historical significance is Kanu Nwankwo, a Nigerian former professional footballer who was born in 1976. He played as a forward and had a successful career, representing Nigeria at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.

In the literary realm, Chinua KANU was a Nigerian novelist and playwright, born in 1935 and known for his works that explored Igbo culture and traditions. His novel "Things Fall Apart" is considered a seminal work in African literature.

Additionally, Chibuzo KANU was a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, born in 1932, who founded the KANU Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting education and healthcare in Nigeria.

Finally, Adetokunbo KANU, born in 1942, was a Nigerian diplomat and the first African to serve as the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from 1976 to 1992.

While the KANU surname has its roots in Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical significance and cultural connections of this name remain deeply rooted in the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kanu

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

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

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

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