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

Okpara, 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 Okpara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okpara in America

Okpara is the 74375th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okpara surname appeared 260 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 Okpara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Okpara 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 Okpara

The surname Okpara is of Nigerian origin, with roots tracing back to the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. The name is believed to have emerged in the pre-colonial era, possibly as early as the 15th century.

The name Okpara is derived from the Igbo words "Oke" meaning "great" or "mighty" and "para" meaning "wealth" or "riches." Thus, the surname Okpara can be interpreted as "great wealth" or "mighty riches," suggesting that it may have been initially bestowed upon individuals or families of significant affluence or social standing within their communities.

While historical records from that period are scarce, the earliest known mention of the surname Okpara can be found in oral traditions and folklore passed down through generations of Igbo storytellers. These narratives often depicted Okpara as a respected family or clan name associated with leadership, prosperity, and wisdom.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Okpara dates back to the 18th century, when it appeared in the writings of Olaudah Equiano, a prominent Igbo writer and abolitionist. In his autobiography, Equiano mentioned an influential Igbo leader named Okpara, who played a significant role in the resistance against the transatlantic slave trade.

Another notable figure associated with the surname Okpara was Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria, who was born in 1904. Azikiwe's middle name was Okpara, reflecting his Igbo heritage and the significance of the name within his cultural lineage.

During the colonial era, the surname Okpara gained prominence as several individuals bearing the name became influential figures in various fields. One such individual was Michael Okpara, a Nigerian politician and leader of the Eastern Region who played a pivotal role in the country's independence movement. He was born in 1920 and served as the Premier of the Eastern Region from 1959 to 1966.

In the realm of literature, Chinua Okpara, a Nigerian novelist and poet, gained recognition for his works exploring themes of African identity and cultural heritage. He was born in 1941 and is celebrated for novels such as "The Conquerors" and "The Footprints of a Witch."

While the surname Okpara has its roots in the Igbo culture of Nigeria, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and connection to the Igbo people remain deeply ingrained in its etymology and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okpara

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

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

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

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