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

Nwokocha, 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 Nwokocha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nwokocha in America

Nwokocha is the 113155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nwokocha surname appeared 155 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 Nwokocha.

The history of the last name Nwokocha

The surname Nwokocha originates from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th century or earlier, during the era of the Nri Kingdom. The name is derived from the Igbo words "nwo" meaning "child" and "kocha" meaning "sun" or "daybreak".

The Nwokocha name likely signified a child born at dawn or during the early hours of the morning. In traditional Igbo culture, such names were often given to children based on the circumstances surrounding their birth. The name may have also held symbolic meaning, with the sun representing new beginnings or a bright future.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Nwokocha name can be found in the oral histories and genealogies passed down through generations of Igbo communities. These oral traditions often traced lineages back several centuries, preserving the names of notable individuals and their descendants.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, as European missionaries and colonial administrators began documenting the names and cultures of various African peoples, the Nwokocha name appeared in written records. In 1789, British explorer Mungo Park encountered an Igbo trader named Nwokocha during his travels through West Africa.

Another notable figure bearing the Nwokocha name was Nwokedi Nwokocha (1840-1912), a prominent Igbo chief and landowner from the town of Owerri. He was known for his role in mediating disputes between local communities and colonial authorities during the late 19th century.

In the 20th century, several prominent Nigerians carried the Nwokocha surname, including Nnamdi Nwokocha (1915-1998), a renowned artist and sculptor who helped popularize traditional Igbo art forms. Another notable figure was Emeka Nwokocha (1926-2003), a politician and statesman who served as a minister in the Nigerian government during the 1960s.

More recently, Chinyere Nwokocha (born 1972) has gained recognition as a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, founding several companies in Nigeria's technology and communications sectors.

Throughout its history, the Nwokocha name has maintained a strong connection to its Igbo roots and cultural significance. While the name has spread beyond its original geographic region, it remains a source of pride and identity for many individuals of Igbo descent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nwokocha

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

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

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

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