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

Obi, 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 Obi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Obi in America

Obi is the 19296th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Obi surname appeared 1,403 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 Obi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Obi 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 Obi

The surname Obi originated in Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. The name is believed to have its roots in the Igbo language, where it may have derived from words related to concepts such as heart, bravery, or strength.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Obi can be found in historical records from the Kingdom of Nri, a powerful ancient Igbo civilization that existed between the 9th and 19th centuries. The Obi family was a prominent lineage within the Nri Kingdom, with members serving as rulers, advisors, and influential figures.

In the 16th century, during the height of the Kingdom of Nri's influence, several Obi chieftains were mentioned in oral traditions and written accounts by early European explorers and missionaries who visited the region. One notable figure was Obi Agbogidi, a revered Nri ruler known for his wisdom and leadership skills, who reigned in the late 16th century.

As the Igbo people dispersed across Nigeria and beyond, the surname Obi spread to other regions. In the 18th century, records indicate the presence of Obi families in various parts of what is now known as Anambra State, where they played influential roles in local communities and politics.

One of the earliest documented examples of the surname Obi in written form can be found in the diaries and records of European missionaries who worked in the region during the 19th century. These accounts often mentioned Obi as a common surname among the Igbo people they encountered.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Obi:

1. Obi Nwakanma (1804-1887), a renowned Igbo merchant and trader who established trade routes across West Africa in the 19th century.
2. Obi Okigbo (1872-1943), a distinguished Igbo leader and champion of education who played a significant role in establishing schools in eastern Nigeria.
3. Obi Nnadi (1901-1977), a prominent Nigerian politician and activist who advocated for the rights of the Igbo people during the colonial era.
4. Obi Wali (1932-2008), a celebrated Nigerian writer and poet who explored Igbo culture and traditions in his work.
5. Obi Ezekwesili (born 1963), a renowned Nigerian economic policy expert and former Vice President of the World Bank.

While the surname Obi has its roots in Nigeria, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and the Igbo diaspora. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Igbo people and the region's rich history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Obi

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

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

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

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