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

Osakwe, 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 Osakwe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Osakwe in America

Osakwe is the 110286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Osakwe surname appeared 160 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 Osakwe.

The history of the last name Osakwe

The surname Osakwe originates from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century from the Igbo word "osa" meaning "the path" and "kwe" meaning "follow." Thus, Osakwe can be interpreted as "one who follows the path."

The earliest recorded instances of the name Osakwe date back to the 17th century, appearing in various local records and oral histories of Igbo communities. It is closely tied to the town of Oguta, located in the present-day Imo State, where many families with the surname have their roots.

One notable figure bearing the Osakwe surname was Chief Osakwe Ndukwe, a prominent trader and community leader who lived in the late 18th century. He was known for his diplomatic skills and played a significant role in mediating disputes between neighboring villages.

In the 19th century, the Osakwe name appears in some British colonial records, reflecting the growing interaction between the Igbo people and European traders and missionaries. One such record mentions Osakwe Onyema, a local chief who played a pivotal role in facilitating trade agreements with British merchants in the 1850s.

The early 20th century saw the rise of several influential Osakwe figures, including Dr. Osakwe Okoye, a pioneering medical practitioner who established one of the first modern healthcare facilities in the region in the 1920s. His contributions to healthcare and public health were widely recognized.

Another notable individual was Osakwe Nwankwo, a renowned educator who founded several schools in the 1930s and 1940s, promoting literacy and educational opportunities for the Igbo people. His efforts paved the way for future generations to pursue higher education.

Throughout history, the Osakwe surname has been closely associated with various professions, including trade, leadership, medicine, and education, reflecting the diverse contributions of those who bear this name to their communities and society at large.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Osakwe

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

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

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

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