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

Nwoye, 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 Nwoye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nwoye in America

Nwoye is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nwoye surname appeared 106 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 Nwoye.

The history of the last name Nwoye

The surname NWOYE originates from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the late 15th or early 16th century during the height of the Nri Kingdom, a once powerful civilization centered around the ancient city of Nri in present-day Anambra State.

NWOYE is derived from the Igbo words "nwa" meaning "child" and "oye" meaning "to survive". As such, the name is thought to have been given to children who survived beyond infancy, a significant achievement in an era marked by high infant mortality rates. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to oral histories and folktales passed down through generations of Igbo families.

In the 17th century, Portuguese missionaries and traders who established contact with the Nri Kingdom made written records of the name NWOYE, further solidifying its place in historical documents. One notable example is Father João Baptista Ferrão's account of his travels through the region in 1666, where he mentions encountering several individuals bearing the surname.

During the 19th century, as the British colonial presence in Nigeria grew stronger, the surname NWOYE began appearing in official colonial records and censuses. One prominent figure from this era was Nwoye Ogbaruam (1825-1898), a respected community leader and farmer from the town of Ndikelionwu, who played a pivotal role in negotiating land disputes between the British authorities and local Igbo communities.

Other notable individuals with the surname NWOYE include:

1. Nwoye Nzewunwa (1912-1988), a pioneering Igbo writer and playwright whose works explored themes of cultural identity and the impact of colonialism.

2. Nwoye Ogbonna (1935-2002), a renowned sculptor and artist whose works drew inspiration from traditional Igbo folklore and mythology.

3. Nwoye Chukwuemeka (1947-2012), a prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Nwoye Foundation, dedicated to improving educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

4. Nwoye Onyeka (born 1975), a celebrated Nigerian fashion designer and entrepreneur whose designs have been showcased at various international fashion events.

5. Nwoye Chibuike (born 1982), a Nigerian-American academic and author who has written extensively on the intersection of Igbo culture and modern society.

While the surname NWOYE may have originated from humble beginnings, it has since become a prominent name within the Igbo community and beyond, carried by individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nwoye

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

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

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

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