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

Orji, 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 Orji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Orji in America

Orji is the 46811th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Orji surname appeared 454 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 Orji.

We can also compare 2010 data for Orji 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 Orji

The surname Orji originated in the Igbo-speaking region of southeastern Nigeria, specifically in the areas of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia states. The name is derived from the Igbo word "ọrji," which means "a journey" or "a traveler."

In the pre-colonial era, the Orji name was associated with individuals or families who were known for their travels or migrations within the region. It was a descriptive name given to those who frequently moved from one place to another, either for trade, exploration, or seeking new opportunities.

Historical records indicate that the Orji surname can be traced back to the 16th century, with mentions in oral traditions and local chronicles. However, the earliest documented evidence of the name appears in the records of the Royal Niger Company, a British mercantile company that operated in the region in the late 19th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Orji name is Orji Egbunike, a prominent trader from the Awka area in present-day Anambra State, who was active in the late 18th century. Another notable figure was Orji Nwandu, a skilled blacksmith and warrior from Enugu State, who lived during the first half of the 19th century.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the Orji surname gained prominence in various fields. One of the most renowned was Dr. Okechukwu Orji (1928-2009), a pioneering Nigerian surgeon and medical educator who played a crucial role in establishing modern medical education in the country.

Another notable Orji was Orji Uzor Kalu (born 1960), a businessman and former governor of Abia State, who served from 1999 to 2007. He was one of the prominent political figures in Nigeria during that period.

In the literary world, Nnaemeka Orji (born 1958) is a renowned Nigerian poet and essayist, known for his work exploring themes of identity, culture, and societal issues. His poetry collections, such as "Silence of the Valley" and "Fugitive Poetry," have received critical acclaim.

Additionally, Chika Orji (born 1983) is a Nigerian-American author and entrepreneur, best known for her memoir "To Walk a Sober Path" and her advocacy for mental health awareness.

While the Orji surname has its roots in southeastern Nigeria, it has spread globally due to migration and diaspora communities. The name has been carried by individuals of Igbo descent around the world, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and history associated with this Nigerian surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Orji

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

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

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

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