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

Nwafor, 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 Nwafor surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nwafor in America

Nwafor is the 73005th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nwafor surname appeared 266 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 Nwafor.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nwafor 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 Nwafor

The surname NWAFOR originated from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, West Africa. It is derived from the Igbo phrase "nwa for" which translates to "child born on the road." This name was given to children born during travels or migrations in the 18th and 19th centuries.

NWAFOR is an ancient Igbo surname that can be traced back to the 16th century. Some of the earliest records of the name are found in oral histories and folklore passed down through generations of Igbo families. It is believed that the name first appeared in written form in the records of European missionaries and traders who visited the region in the late 17th century.

One notable early reference to the NWAFOR name is found in the diaries of a Portuguese trader named João Baptista, who visited the Igbo hinterlands in the 1680s. He documented encountering a village elder named Nwafor Okoye, suggesting the surname's existence at that time.

The first recorded NWAFOR individual was likely Nwafor Achi, a prominent trader and farmer who lived in the late 18th century. He is mentioned in oral histories as a respected member of his community and a successful entrepreneur who traded goods throughout the region.

Another historical figure bearing the NWAFOR surname was Nwafor Ogbunike, a renowned herbalist and healer who lived in the mid-19th century. He was known for his vast knowledge of traditional Igbo medicine and his ability to treat various ailments.

In the early 20th century, Nwafor Orizu gained recognition as a talented sculptor and wood carver. His intricate works depicting Igbo cultural scenes and traditional motifs were highly regarded and can still be found in museums and private collections today.

Nwafor Nwoko, born in 1914, was a pioneering Igbo writer and educator. He authored several books on Igbo language and culture, preserving and promoting the rich heritage of his people. His works remain influential in the study of Igbo literature and history.

Lastly, Nwafor Okeke, born in 1933, was a respected Igbo leader and activist who played a significant role in the Nigerian Civil War. He advocated for the rights and autonomy of the Igbo people during a turbulent period in the country's history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nwafor

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

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

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

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