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

Okere, 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 Okere surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okere in America

Okere is the 59603rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okere surname appeared 339 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 Okere.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okere 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 Okere

The surname Okere originates from Nigeria, specifically the Igbo people of the southeastern region. It is believed to have emerged during the late 15th century or early 16th century, a period marked by the rise of powerful Igbo kingdoms and chieftaincies.

Okere is derived from the Igbo word "okere," which translates to "share of the land" or "portion of land." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with landowners or individuals who possessed significant tracts of land within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Okere surname can be found in the oral traditions and folktales of the Igbo people, which were passed down through generations of storytellers and griots. These narratives often referenced prominent families and individuals, including those bearing the Okere name.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Okere Nwafor (c. 1720-1790) emerged as a respected leader and diplomat within the Igbo community. He was instrumental in negotiating peace treaties and fostering trade relationships with neighboring kingdoms.

During the 19th century, the Okere surname gained further recognition when Chief Okere Okafor (1825-1897) rose to prominence as a successful merchant and landowner. His vast wealth and influence allowed him to establish one of the first schools in the region, paving the way for educational opportunities for future generations.

Another individual of note was Okere Nwankwo (1865-1938), a renowned herbalist and traditional healer. His extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and remedies earned him a reputation that extended far beyond his local community.

In the early 20th century, Okere Nwachukwu (1895-1972) made significant contributions to the preservation of Igbo cultural traditions through his work as an author and historian. His writings documented various aspects of Igbo life, including customs, folklore, and historical events.

Throughout the 20th century, the Okere surname continued to be represented by individuals who made their mark in various fields, such as politics, academia, and the arts. However, due to the limited availability of comprehensive historical records, it is challenging to provide a comprehensive account of all notable figures bearing this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okere

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

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

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

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