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

Okumu, 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 Okumu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Okumu in America

Okumu is the 139228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Okumu surname appeared 120 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 Okumu.

The history of the last name Okumu

The surname OKUMU has its origins in the East African country of Uganda. It is believed to have originated in the Luo ethnic group, which is primarily found in the eastern region of Uganda, as well as in parts of western Kenya. The name OKUMU is derived from the Luo language and is thought to have roots in the word "okumu," meaning "leader" or "chief."

In the early 19th century, the name OKUMU appeared in several historical records and manuscripts documenting the Luo people's interactions with European explorers and missionaries. One notable reference is found in the journals of John Hanning Speke, a British explorer who visited the region in the 1860s and documented his encounters with various Luo clans and their leaders.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname OKUMU was Okumu Obonyo, a prominent Luo chief who lived in the late 18th century. He played a significant role in negotiating alliances and trade agreements between the Luo clans and neighboring ethnic groups.

Another notable figure was Okumu Oduor, a renowned Luo philosopher and spiritual leader who lived in the mid-19th century. He was widely respected for his wisdom and teachings, which drew upon the rich cultural traditions of the Luo people.

In the early 20th century, Okumu Odongo gained recognition as a skilled diplomat and negotiator. He played a pivotal role in facilitating the peaceful integration of the Luo people into the British colonial administration in Uganda.

During the latter part of the 20th century, Okumu Ogola (1923-2011) made a name for himself as a distinguished educator and advocate for cultural preservation. He authored several books and academic works on the history and traditions of the Luo people, ensuring that their heritage was documented and passed down to future generations.

Another prominent figure was Okumu Okello (1945-2008), a renowned Ugandan writer and poet. His works explored themes of identity, social justice, and the complexities of life in post-colonial Africa. His poetry was widely acclaimed and celebrated both within Uganda and internationally.

While the surname OKUMU has its roots in the Luo ethnic group of Uganda, it has since spread to other parts of East Africa and beyond, carried by individuals and families who have migrated and established new homes in different regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Okumu

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

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

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

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