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

Okocha, 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 Okocha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okocha in America

Okocha is the 88020th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okocha surname appeared 211 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 Okocha.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okocha 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 Okocha

The surname Okocha traces its origins to the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century, derived from the Igbo words "oko" meaning "farm" and "cha" meaning "greater" or "larger." This suggests the name may have initially referred to someone who owned or worked on a large farm or agricultural land.

One of the earliest known records of the Okocha surname can be found in the diaries of Portuguese explorers who visited the region in the late 15th century. They documented interactions with local chieftains and notable individuals, some of whom bore variations of the name such as Okocha, Okotcha, or Okochah.

In the 18th century, the Okocha name appeared in colonial records kept by British administrators in the region. These documents often listed individuals involved in trade, diplomatic negotiations, or local governance. One notable figure from this period was Nnamdi Okocha, a prominent trader and intermediary between the British and local Igbo communities in the late 1700s.

As the 19th century dawned, the Okocha name continued to be associated with prominent figures in various fields. Chukwuemeka Okocha was a renowned scholar and linguist who worked to preserve and document the Igbo language and culture in the 1860s. His efforts contributed significantly to the preservation of Igbo heritage during a period of colonial influence.

In the 20th century, the Okocha surname gained international recognition through the accomplishments of several individuals. Austin Okocha, born in 1973, was a celebrated Nigerian footballer who played for top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers. He was widely regarded as one of the most skillful and talented players of his generation.

Another notable figure was Chinua Okocha, a Nigerian writer and academic born in 1928. His works, including the novel "The Caged Bird," explored themes of identity, colonialism, and the struggles of modern African society. Chinua Okocha was a prominent voice in the Nigerian literary scene and a recipient of numerous awards and honors.

While the surname Okocha originated in southeastern Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the country and beyond, carried by individuals and families who have migrated or established roots in different regions. The name continues to be a source of pride and cultural identity for many Igbo people, reflecting their rich history and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okocha

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

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

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

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