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

Koko, 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 Koko surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Koko in America

Koko is the 55386th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Koko surname appeared 371 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 Koko.

We can also compare 2010 data for Koko 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 Koko

The surname KOKO has its origins in West Africa and is believed to have originated from the Akan people of present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast. The name is thought to derive from the Akan word "koko," which translates to "vegetable" or "greens," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who was a farmer or worked with vegetables.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KOKO surname can be found in the "Tribal Records of the Akan People," a collection of historical accounts and genealogies dating back to the 16th century. These records mention several individuals with the surname KOKO, indicating that the name was already established within the Akan community during that time.

In the late 18th century, the KOKO surname made its way to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade. Many Akan people were forcibly transported to the Caribbean and North America, carrying their names and cultural traditions with them. This diaspora contributed to the further spread and diversification of the KOKO surname across different regions.

One notable figure with the KOKO surname was Kwame KOKO, a prominent Akan chief who lived in the late 17th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating trade agreements between his people and European merchants, ensuring the prosperity of his community during that period.

Another individual of historical significance was Ama KOKO, a skilled potter and artisan who lived in the early 19th century. Her intricate ceramic works were highly sought after and helped preserve the artistic traditions of the Akan people during a time of significant cultural upheaval.

In the Caribbean, the KOKO surname can be traced back to the early 19th century, with records indicating the presence of several individuals bearing this name in various plantation records and census documents. One such individual was Joseph KOKO, who was born in 1812 and was a prominent figure in the fight for abolition and civil rights in Jamaica.

As the KOKO surname spread across different regions and cultures, its spelling and pronunciation may have evolved to adapt to local languages and dialects. However, the core meaning and significance of the name have remained rooted in its West African origins, serving as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Akan people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Koko

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

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

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