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

Ogbu, 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 Ogbu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ogbu in America

Ogbu is the 108199th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ogbu surname appeared 164 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 Ogbu.

The history of the last name Ogbu

The surname "OGBU" is of Nigerian origin, originating from the Igbo ethnic group. It can be traced back to the 16th century in the regions of present-day Anambra and Enugu states in southeastern Nigeria.

The name "OGBU" is believed to have its roots in the Igbo word "ogbu," which translates to "kill" or "destroy." It is likely that the name was initially given as a descriptive name or a nickname to someone who was a skilled warrior or hunter.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "OGBU" can be found in the oral histories and folktales passed down through generations among the Igbo people. These stories often mention individuals with the name "OGBU" as brave warriors or skilled hunters who were revered for their prowess.

In the 18th century, there are records of an Igbo man named Ogbu Okonkwo, who was a prominent trader and village leader in the town of Nri. He is believed to have played a significant role in the economic and cultural development of the region during that time.

Another notable figure bearing the surname "OGBU" was Ogbu Umunna, a renowned Igbo sculptor and woodcarver who lived in the late 19th century. His intricate carvings and masks were highly sought after and are now considered important cultural artifacts.

In the early 20th century, a man named Ogbu Eze Nri was a respected chief and traditional ruler in the town of Agukwu. He was known for his wisdom and fair leadership during a time of significant social and political change in the region.

During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), a soldier named Ogbu Onu distinguished himself for his bravery and strategic military tactics. He was awarded several honors for his service and contributions to the war effort.

Throughout history, the surname "OGBU" has been associated with various place names and villages in the Igbo heartland, such as Ogbu-Isi, Ogbu-Nabo, and Ogbu-Ike, reflecting the widespread distribution of the name across the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ogbu

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

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

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

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