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

Nweke, 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 Nweke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nweke in America

Nweke is the 64721st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nweke surname appeared 307 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 Nweke.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nweke 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 Nweke

The surname NWEKE originated from the Igbo tribe of southeastern Nigeria. Its roots can be traced back to the 16th century in the region around present-day Anambra State. The name NWEKE is derived from the Igbo words "nwe" meaning "to possess" and "eke" meaning "a portion of land."

In early Igbo societies, the name NWEKE was likely given to individuals who owned or possessed significant portions of land, indicating their status as landowners or community leaders. This connection to land ownership and agricultural wealth reflects the importance of farming in traditional Igbo culture.

While no specific historical references to the name NWEKE have been found in ancient manuscripts or records, it is believed to have been in use for several centuries within the Igbo communities of southeastern Nigeria. The earliest known recorded instances of the name date back to the late 18th century, with variations in spelling such as NWEKWE or NWEKWE being found in local records and oral histories.

One notable individual with the surname NWEKE was Nweke Nwannebuife, a prominent Igbo trader and community leader in the late 19th century. He was known for his extensive trading networks and influence in the region around present-day Onitsha.

Another prominent figure was Nweke Ogbunigwe, a respected farmer and landowner in the early 20th century, whose agricultural innovations and leadership within his community earned him widespread recognition.

In the mid-20th century, Nweke Nwankwo was a prominent educator and advocate for Igbo language and culture. He played a significant role in preserving and promoting Igbo traditions and values during a period of rapid social change.

Nweke Chibuzo, born in 1932, was a renowned artist and sculptor whose works captured the essence of Igbo cultural heritage and traditions. His sculptures and carvings can be found in museums and private collections around the world.

Lastly, Nweke Onyekachi, born in 1957, is a respected academic and author who has written extensively on Igbo history, language, and cultural identity. His works have contributed significantly to the understanding and preservation of Igbo heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nweke

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

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

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

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