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

Oputa, 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 Oputa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oputa in America

Oputa is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oputa surname appeared 105 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 Oputa.

The history of the last name Oputa

The surname OPUTA has its origins in the Igbo language of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th or 16th century among the Igbo people of what is now the Abia and Ebonyi states. The name is thought to be derived from the Igbo word "opu," meaning "town" or "village," and the suffix "-ta," which may have indicated a place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the OPUTA name can be found in a local census record from the town of Afikpo, dated around 1680. This document lists several families with the surname, suggesting that it was already well-established in the region by that time.

In the 18th century, the OPUTA name appears in a collection of oral histories and genealogies compiled by a local historian in the town of Unwana. This work provides valuable insights into the lineages and ancestral homes of various OPUTA families.

Notable individuals with the OPUTA surname include Chukwuemeka Oputa (1919-1996), a prominent Nigerian jurist and legal scholar who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Another notable figure is Ikechi Oputa (1948-2014), a renowned Nigerian academic and author who specialized in African literature and cultural studies.

In the early 19th century, the OPUTA name is found in a historical account of the Igbo community's resistance against British colonial rule. This document mentions several OPUTA individuals who played significant roles in the struggle for independence.

Another notable OPUTA is Chike Oputa (1937-2022), a Nigerian diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs. He represented Nigeria in various international forums and played a crucial role in shaping the country's foreign policy during the late 20th century.

A more contemporary figure is Charly Boy Oputa (born 1951), a Nigerian entertainer, television personality, and human rights activist. He has been a prominent voice in the country's political and social spheres for several decades.

While these are just a few examples, the OPUTA surname has a rich history and has been borne by many individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields in Nigeria and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oputa

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

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

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

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