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

Njoku, 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 Njoku surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Njoku in America

Njoku is the 23432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Njoku surname appeared 1,085 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 Njoku.

We can also compare 2010 data for Njoku 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 Njoku

The surname Njoku originates from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It dates back to the 15th century and is derived from the Igbo word "njoku" which means "tracker" or "pathfinder".

The Njoku name was initially associated with individuals who were skilled hunters and trackers, responsible for leading hunting parties through the dense forests of the region. As these hunters played a crucial role in providing food for their communities, the name carried a sense of respect and honor.

Historically, the Njoku name has been recorded in various Igbo oral traditions and narratives. Although not extensively documented in written records, it is believed to have appeared in some local chieftaincy records and genealogical accounts maintained by Igbo communities.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Njoku name can be found in the writings of Philip Emeagwali, a renowned Igbo historian from the 18th century. In his work, "The Chronicles of Igbo Kingdoms," Emeagwali references a prominent Njoku family that held significant influence in the region during that time.

Notable individuals with the Njoku surname include:

1. Chukwuemeka Njoku (1892-1958), a renowned Igbo artist and sculptor known for his intricate wood carvings depicting traditional Igbo themes.
2. Adaeze Njoku (1920-2003), a prominent educator and advocate for women's rights, who established several schools in eastern Nigeria.
3. Nnamdi Njoku (1935-2021), a celebrated Igbo writer and poet whose works explored the cultural richness and struggles of his people.
4. Ifeoma Njoku (1947-present), a renowned Nigerian academic and anthropologist who has made significant contributions to the study of Igbo cultural practices and traditions.
5. Chijioke Njoku (1962-present), a renowned Nigerian architect and urban planner, known for his innovative and sustainable designs that incorporate traditional Igbo architectural elements.

While the Njoku name has its roots in the Igbo culture of southeastern Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the country and beyond, as individuals with this surname have migrated and established themselves in various regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Njoku

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

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

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

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