Ossai last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Ossai

Surname possibly originating from the Nigerian Igbo language meaning "of this village".

Ossai, 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 Ossai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ossai in America

Ossai is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ossai surname appeared 101 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 Ossai.

The history of the last name Ossai

The surname OSSAI originates from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, with its roots dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Igbo word "ọsa," meaning "wealth" or "affluence," and "ì," meaning "from." Thus, the name OSSAI could be interpreted as "one who comes from wealth" or "one who possesses affluence."

In the early days, the name was primarily concentrated in the regions of Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi states, where the Igbo people have historically resided. It is possible that the name was initially associated with individuals or families who were considered prosperous or influential within their communities.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname OSSAI can be found in the records of the Royal Niger Company, a British chartered company that operated in the Niger Delta region during the late 19th century. These records mention several individuals bearing the name OSSAI who were involved in trade and commerce with the company.

Notable historical figures with the surname OSSAI include Nnamdi OSSAI (1897-1972), a prominent nationalist and politician who played a significant role in Nigeria's independence movement. Another individual of note was Emeka OSSAI (1923-1998), a renowned artist and sculptor whose works captured the essence of Igbo culture and traditions.

In the literary realm, Chinua OSSAI (1930-2013) was a celebrated author and playwright, renowned for his novels and plays that explored themes of identity, tradition, and social change in post-colonial Nigeria. His works, such as "Things Fall Apart" and "Arrow of God," have become classics of African literature.

The name OSSAI has also been associated with academic and professional achievements. For instance, Chika OSSAI (born 1965) is a renowned scholar and professor of economics, recognized for her research contributions in development economics and policy analysis.

Another prominent figure was Ngozi OSSAI (1941-2008), a pioneer in the field of medicine, who became one of the first female Nigerian doctors to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Her contributions to improving maternal and child health in Nigeria were widely recognized.

Throughout history, the surname OSSAI has been associated with a rich cultural heritage, spanning various domains such as politics, arts, literature, academia, and healthcare. While the name's origins can be traced back to the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, its legacy has transcended regional boundaries, making a significant impact on a global scale.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ossai

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

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 Ossai was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only 95.05% 96
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 0.00% 0

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

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

Reference this page

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Ossai last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/ossai-surname-popularity/.

"Ossai last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/ossai-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Ossai last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/ossai-surname-popularity/.

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