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

Obiora, 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 Obiora surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Obiora in America

Obiora is the 136449th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Obiora surname appeared 123 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 Obiora.

The history of the last name Obiora

The surname Obiora originates from the Igbo people of Nigeria. It is a combination of two Igbo words, "obi" meaning "heart" and "ora" meaning "good." Thus, Obiora translates to "good heart" or "kind-hearted person." The name dates back several centuries and has deep roots in the cultural traditions of the Igbo ethnic group.

The earliest recorded instances of the Obiora surname can be traced back to the 16th century when the Igbo people were organized into decentralized city-states and villages. During this period, personal names often reflected virtues, physical attributes, or circumstances surrounding a person's birth. The name Obiora likely emerged as a way to honor individuals known for their kindness and compassion.

In the 19th century, as European explorers and missionaries began documenting the cultures of West Africa, the Obiora name appeared in various written records and accounts. One notable reference can be found in the works of British explorer and linguist Samuel Ajayi Crowther, who extensively studied the Igbo language and culture in the mid-1800s.

Throughout history, several prominent individuals have borne the Obiora surname. One of the earliest documented figures was Obiora Nwude (c. 1750-1820), a renowned Igbo trader and community leader who played a pivotal role in establishing trade routes and fostering economic cooperation between various Igbo settlements.

Another notable bearer of the Obiora name was Obiora Udekwe (1857-1932), a respected Igbo chief and diplomat who facilitated negotiations between the British colonial authorities and local communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the modern era, Obiora Nwoye (1920-2013) gained recognition as a prominent Nigerian author and academic. His works, including the novel "Onye Anaghi Atu Ndi Ozo" (1960), explored themes of Igbo identity, cultural preservation, and social change.

Obiora Uzoh (born 1961) is a contemporary Nigerian physicist and engineer who has made significant contributions to the field of nanotechnology. He holds several patents and has been recognized for his groundbreaking research in semiconductor devices and materials.

Lastly, Obiora Ike (born 1962) is a renowned Nigerian philosopher, theologian, and human rights advocate. He has authored numerous books and articles on ethics, social justice, and African philosophy, and has been a prominent voice in discussions on human dignity and sustainable development.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Obiora

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!