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

Nwajei, 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 Nwajei surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nwajei in America

Nwajei is the 138304th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nwajei surname appeared 121 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 Nwajei.

The history of the last name Nwajei

The surname NWAJEI has its origins in the Igbo ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century in the region that is now known as Anambra State. The name is derived from the Igbo phrase "nwa-ejie," which translates to "child of mercy" or "child of kindness."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the NWAJEI name can be found in the oral histories and genealogies of the Igbo people. These narratives, passed down through generations, mention individuals with the surname NWAJEI who held prominent roles in their communities as village elders, traders, and leaders.

In the 17th century, the NWAJEI name appeared in written records kept by European traders and missionaries who had interactions with the Igbo people. These records often contained variations in spelling, such as "Nwajay" or "Nwajee," reflecting the challenges of transcribing Igbo names into European writing systems.

During the colonial era, the NWAJEI name gained more widespread recognition as it appeared in administrative records and documents maintained by the British authorities in Nigeria. One notable figure from this period was Okechukwu NWAJEI (1842-1911), a influential trader and diplomat who facilitated economic and cultural exchanges between the Igbo people and the British colonial government.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the NWAJEI surname made significant contributions in various fields. Chukwuemeka NWAJEI (1923-1998) was a renowned artist and sculptor whose works celebrated Igbo cultural traditions. Adaora NWAJEI (1928-2005) was a pioneering educator who established several schools and advocated for women's education in Nigeria.

Other notable figures include Nnamdi NWAJEI (1942-2018), a prominent human rights lawyer who defended political dissidents during Nigeria's military regimes, and Ebele NWAJEI (1960-), a celebrated author and playwright whose works explore themes of identity, family, and societal change in modern Nigeria.

Throughout its history, the NWAJEI surname has maintained its connection to the Igbo cultural heritage and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and to Nigerian society as a whole.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nwajei

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

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

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

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