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

Okoroafor, 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 Okoroafor surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okoroafor in America

Okoroafor is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okoroafor surname appeared 128 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 Okoroafor.

The history of the last name Okoroafor

The surname OKOROAFOR originated in Nigeria and is an Igbo name from the southeastern region of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th century, although its precise origins are somewhat obscure. The name itself is a combination of two Igbo words, "Oko" meaning "farm" or "plantation," and "Afor," which translates to "source" or "origin."

One theory suggests that the name OKOROAFOR may have initially referred to individuals who resided near or worked on a prominent farm or agricultural estate. Another possibility is that it was bestowed upon those whose lineage could be traced back to the founders or original settlers of a particular farming community.

While there are no definitive historical records mentioning the name OKOROAFOR from ancient times, it is worth noting that the Igbo people have a rich oral tradition that has preserved many names and their meanings over the centuries. Some of the earliest documented instances of the name appear in colonial-era records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

One notable bearer of the name was Nnamdi OKOROAFOR, a prominent Igbo chief and community leader who lived in the late 19th century. He was renowned for his diplomacy and played a significant role in facilitating peaceful relations between his people and the British colonial authorities.

Another individual of historical significance was Chukwuemeka OKOROAFOR, an Igbo scholar and linguist born in 1912. He made valuable contributions to the preservation and documentation of the Igbo language and cultural traditions.

In the realm of literature, Chinua OKOROAFOR, born in 1938, was a celebrated Igbo novelist and poet whose works explored themes of identity, tradition, and the complexities of post-colonial society.

The name OKOROAFOR has also been borne by several notable figures in academia and politics, such as Emenike OKOROAFOR, a renowned professor of anthropology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Chinyere OKOROAFOR, a former member of the Nigerian Senate.

While the name OKOROAFOR may have evolved slightly in its spelling and pronunciation over time, its roots remain firmly grounded in the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people, serving as a reminder of their deep connection to the land and their agricultural traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okoroafor

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

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 Okoroafor 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.

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

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

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