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

Ndukwe, 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 Ndukwe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ndukwe in America

Ndukwe is the 61899th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ndukwe surname appeared 324 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 Ndukwe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ndukwe 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 Ndukwe

The surname NDUKWE is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Igbo ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have originated in the 17th or 18th century, with roots tracing back to various towns and villages in the present-day states of Anambra, Enugu, and Imo.

The name NDUKWE is derived from the Igbo language, and its meaning is subject to various interpretations. One possible meaning suggests that it is a compound word formed from the combination of "ndu" (life) and "okwe" (uplifting or elevating), implying a name that signifies an uplifting life or a person who elevates the lives of others.

Another interpretation suggests that NDUKWE is derived from the Igbo phrase "ndu kwere" or "ndu kwe ri," which translates to "life agrees" or "life accepts," possibly referring to a person who embraces life's challenges and opportunities with grace and resilience.

While historical records from that era are scarce, some of the earliest known individuals with the surname NDUKWE include:

1. Nwakamma Ndukwe (c. 1780-1860), a renowned trader and community leader from Awka, in present-day Anambra State.
2. Ogbuefi Ndukwe (c. 1820-1895), a respected elder and advisor in the village of Nkwere, in present-day Imo State.
3. Nnamdi Ndukwe (1865-1932), a prominent farmer and landowner from Nsukka, in present-day Enugu State.

As the Igbo people migrated and settled in various regions, the NDUKWE name spread across different parts of southeastern Nigeria. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged, such as Ndukwu, Nduku, or Ndukwu-Eze.

Notable individuals with the NDUKWE surname in more recent history include:

1. Dr. Nnamdi Ndukwe (1942-2014), a renowned Nigerian engineer and former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
2. Chukwuemeka Ndukwe (1928-2003), a distinguished Nigerian artist and sculptor known for his works depicting Igbo culture and traditions.
3. Stella Ndukwe (1939-2019), a celebrated Nigerian actress and comedian who appeared in numerous Nollywood films and television shows.
4. Ikechukwu Ndukwe (b. 1972), a Nigerian football player who played as a defender for various clubs in Europe and Africa.
5. Ekene Ndukwe (b. 1982), a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and several international leagues.

The NDUKWE surname has a rich cultural heritage and a long-standing presence in various communities across southeastern Nigeria, reflecting the diversity and resilience of the Igbo people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ndukwe

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

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

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

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