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

Nwankpa, 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 Nwankpa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nwankpa in America

Nwankpa is the 156044th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nwankpa surname appeared 104 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 Nwankpa.

The history of the last name Nwankpa

The surname Nwankpa has its origins in the Igbo language spoken in the southeastern parts of Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th or 16th century, although records of the name's earliest use are scarce. Linguists suggest that the name is derived from the Igbo words "nwa" meaning "child" and "nkpa" meaning "blessing," thus signifying a "child of blessing."

One of the earliest known references to the name Nwankpa can be found in a collection of Igbo oral traditions and folktales compiled in the late 18th century. The narrative mentions a renowned hunter named Nwankpa, who was revered for his skill and bravery in protecting his village from wild animals.

In the 19th century, a notable figure bearing the name Nwankpa was Nwankpa Okorie (1830-1902), a respected village elder and advisor to the traditional ruler of Arochukwu, a town in present-day Abia State, Nigeria. Okorie was renowned for his wisdom and diplomatic skills in resolving conflicts between neighboring communities.

Another prominent individual with the surname Nwankpa was Nwankpa Nwoke (1865-1939), a successful trader and businessman who established a thriving palm oil export business in the town of Onitsha, located along the Niger River. Nwoke's wealth and influence earned him the respect of his contemporaries, and he was often consulted on matters of commerce and trade.

During the early 20th century, Nwankpa Nwosu (1890-1963) gained recognition as a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education in Nigeria. Nwosu established one of the first schools for girls in her hometown of Owerri, challenging traditional gender norms and paving the way for increased access to education for women in the region.

In more recent times, Nwankpa Onyekachi (1945-2019) was a renowned Nigerian artist and sculptor, celebrated for his intricate woodcarvings and sculptures that depicted traditional Igbo cultural themes and narratives. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums both within Nigeria and internationally.

While the surname Nwankpa is most prevalent in the Igbo-speaking regions of southeastern Nigeria, it has also found its way into various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its roots can be traced back to the rich cultural heritage and linguistic traditions of the Igbo people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nwankpa

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

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

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

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