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

Okoro, 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 Okoro surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okoro in America

Okoro is the 20227th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okoro surname appeared 1,317 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 Okoro.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okoro 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 Okoro

The surname Okoro originates from the Igbo ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th or 16th century, derived from the Igbo phrase "Ọkọrọ ọgụ," which translates to "warrior" or "valiant one." The name was likely given to individuals who displayed great courage and bravery during times of conflict or battle.

In ancient Igbo society, warriors were highly respected and revered for their strength, skill, and unwavering dedication to protecting their communities. The Okoro surname may have been bestowed upon those who exemplified these qualities, serving as a symbol of honor and recognition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Okoro surname can be found in the historical accounts of the Nri Kingdom, a once-powerful civilization in present-day Anambra State, Nigeria. The Nri people were known for their advanced system of governance and cultural traditions, and it is believed that some of the earliest bearers of the Okoro name may have originated from this region.

Notable individuals throughout history who have carried the Okoro surname include Ọnụọha Okoro (c. 1650-1720), a renowned warrior and leader of the Oguta people, who was instrumental in defending his community against invading forces. Another prominent figure was Nwakamma Okoro (1810-1890), a skilled craftsman and sculptor whose intricate woodcarvings have been celebrated as significant contributions to Igbo art and culture.

In the 19th century, Okoro Nwoko (1825-1905) gained recognition as a respected diplomat and negotiator, playing a crucial role in resolving conflicts between neighboring communities. His diplomatic efforts were instrumental in fostering peace and stability in the region.

The Okoro surname has also been associated with places and landmarks, such as the Okoro River, a major tributary of the Niger River, which flows through parts of southeastern Nigeria. Additionally, the Okoro Village, located in Anambra State, is believed to have been named after an early Okoro settlement in the area.

Other notable individuals with the Okoro surname include Chukwuemeka Okoro (1920-2002), a renowned educator and author who made significant contributions to the preservation of Igbo language and literature, and Theresa Okoro (1935-2018), a pioneering businesswoman and philanthropist who founded one of Nigeria's largest conglomerates.

Throughout history, the Okoro surname has been a symbol of strength, courage, and resilience, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people and their enduring contributions to Nigerian society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okoro

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!