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

Okolie, 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 Okolie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okolie in America

Okolie is the 89753rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okolie surname appeared 206 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 Okolie.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okolie 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 Okolie

The surname Okolie has its origins in Nigeria, specifically among the Igbo people of the country's southeastern region. The name is believed to have emerged during the late 16th or early 17th century, derived from the Igbo word "okola," which translates to "survivor" or "one who perseveres."

This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals or families who displayed remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, such as surviving wars, famines, or other challenging circumstances. The name's roots can be traced back to various Igbo communities in the present-day states of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo.

Historical records from the region, particularly those maintained by local chiefs and village elders, occasionally mention individuals bearing the Okolie surname. However, due to the oral tradition prevalent among the Igbo during that era, written accounts are relatively scarce.

One of the earliest documented references to the Okolie name can be found in a collection of oral histories compiled by British colonial administrators in the late 19th century. These accounts mention an Okolie family that played a prominent role in the establishment of a thriving trading settlement along the banks of the Niger River.

Throughout the centuries, the Okolie surname has been associated with several notable figures. Among them is Nnamdi Okolie (1904-1976), a prominent Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Eastern Nigerian House of Assembly during the colonial era.

Another noteworthy individual bearing this surname is Chukwuemeka Okolie (1924-2008), a renowned Nigerian artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited in galleries across Africa and Europe. His sculptures often depicted scenes from Igbo cultural traditions and mythology.

In the field of sports, the name Okolie has gained recognition through the achievements of Lawrence Okolie (born 1992), a British professional boxer of Nigerian descent. He currently holds the WBO cruiserweight world championship title.

Okolie is also the surname of Chika Okolie (born 1985), a Nigerian-American actress and writer known for her roles in various television series and films, including "The Haves and the Have Nots" and "Greenleaf."

Another prominent individual with the Okolie surname is Chioma Okolie (born 1980), a Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate. She has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting access to justice and gender equality in Nigeria.

While the Okolie surname has its roots in Nigeria, it has since spread across various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply intertwined with the Igbo culture and the resilience of the people from whom it emerged.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okolie

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

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

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

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