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

Okeke, 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 Okeke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okeke in America

Okeke is the 18910th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okeke surname appeared 1,444 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 Okeke.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okeke 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 Okeke

The surname Okeke originated in the Igbo ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged around the 15th century in the area now known as Anambra State. The name Okeke is derived from the Igbo words "oke" meaning "male" and "ke" meaning "thank," suggesting a meaning of "thank the male."

Okeke is a widespread surname among the Igbo people, and it can be traced back to various towns and villages in Anambra State, such as Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi. The name has also been found in historical records and manuscripts from the region, although the earliest known written record is from the late 18th century.

One of the earliest documented Okekes was Nnamdi Okeke (1836-1904), a prominent Igbo trader and businessman from Onitsha. He played a significant role in the development of trade networks between the Igbo hinterland and the coastal regions during the 19th century.

Another notable figure was Ozumba Okeke (1863-1930), a traditional ruler and warrior from Awka. He was known for his leadership and military prowess during the Igbo resistance against British colonial expansion in the late 19th century.

In the 20th century, one of the most famous Okekes was Christopher Okeke (1927-2003), a renowned Nigerian writer and playwright. His works, such as "The Drums of War" and "The Mask of Virtue," explored Igbo culture and traditions.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Okeke (1933-2016) was a prominent Nigerian artist and sculptor. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Nigerian art and is known for his distinctive style that blended traditional Igbo motifs with contemporary themes.

Azubuike Okeke (1956-present) is a Nigerian-American engineer and entrepreneur. He co-founded Transas, a leading provider of software solutions for the maritime industry, and has been recognized for his contributions to technology and innovation.

While the surname Okeke has its roots in the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, it has spread across various regions and countries due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical and cultural significance of this name remains deeply rooted in the Igbo heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okeke

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

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

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

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