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

Nkosi, 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 Nkosi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nkosi in America

Nkosi is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nkosi surname appeared 115 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 Nkosi.

The history of the last name Nkosi

The surname Nkosi has its origins in South Africa, where it is a Xhosa name meaning "king" or "lord". The Xhosa people are one of the major ethnic groups in South Africa and speak the Xhosa language, which is part of the Nguni language family.

The name Nkosi can be traced back to the early 19th century, when it first appeared in historical records and documents. It is believed to have been derived from the Xhosa word "inkosi", which referred to the traditional leaders or chiefs of the Xhosa people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nkosi can be found in the writings of the Scottish missionary and explorer Robert Moffat, who lived and worked among the Xhosa people in the early 1800s. Moffat's accounts provide valuable insights into the culture and traditions of the Xhosa people, including the significance of the name Nkosi.

Prominent individuals who have borne the surname Nkosi include Nkosi Johnson (1989-2001), a South African AIDS activist who was born with HIV and dedicated his short life to raising awareness about the disease. His courage and determination inspired millions around the world.

Another notable figure is Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (1897-1962), a Xhosa poet and composer who wrote the lyrics to the famous anti-apartheid song "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (God Bless Africa), which later became the national anthem of several African countries.

In the realm of sports, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika Modise (1902-1972) was a South African boxer who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, becoming one of the first black athletes to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games.

The name Nkosi has also been associated with several places in South Africa, such as the Nkosi Bay Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal province, which is named after the Nkosi people who once inhabited the area.

Throughout history, the surname Nkosi has been a symbol of strength, leadership, and cultural pride among the Xhosa people of South Africa. Its meaning and significance have transcended generations, serving as a reminder of the rich heritage and traditions of this remarkable ethnic group.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nkosi

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

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

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

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