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

Okojie, 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 Okojie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okojie in America

Okojie is the 78821st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okojie surname appeared 242 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 Okojie.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okojie 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 Okojie

The surname Okojie originates from Nigeria, specifically the Edo State region. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th century or earlier during the height of the Benin Empire. The name is derived from the Edo language and is thought to be a combination of two words, "Oko" meaning "people" and "jie" meaning "warrior" or "fighter".

Records from the Benin Empire indicate that the Okojie surname was associated with a prominent warrior clan or family. This clan played a significant role in the military campaigns and defense of the empire during its expansion and conflicts with neighboring kingdoms. The name likely served as a source of pride and identity for those who bore it, signifying their ancestry and martial prowess.

Some of the earliest documented references to the Okojie surname can be found in oral histories and traditions passed down through generations within the Edo community. These accounts often mention individuals with the surname who were revered for their bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.

One notable figure from the 16th century was Okojie Osaremwinda, a skilled military commander who led the Benin forces to several victories against rival kingdoms. His exploits were recorded in the written accounts of Portuguese explorers who visited the region during that time.

In the 18th century, Okojie Ogieva was a respected chief and advisor to the Oba (king) of Benin. He was known for his wisdom and diplomatic skills in resolving conflicts between the empire and neighboring tribes.

During the 19th century, Okojie Osarenren was a prominent trader and merchant who established trade routes and partnerships with European traders visiting the coastal regions of present-day Nigeria. His business acumen and wealth allowed him to wield significant influence in the region.

Another notable figure was Okojie Ozolua, a skilled sculptor and artist who lived in the late 19th century. His intricate woodcarvings and bronze works depicting scenes from Benin mythology and history are highly regarded and can be found in museums and private collections around the world.

In more recent times, Okojie Akenzua II, who ruled as the Oba of Benin from 1933 to 1978, was a highly respected and influential monarch. He played a crucial role in preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of the Edo people during the colonial and post-colonial periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okojie

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

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

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

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