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

Uwakwe, 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 Uwakwe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Uwakwe in America

Uwakwe is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Uwakwe surname appeared 131 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 Uwakwe.

The history of the last name Uwakwe

The surname UWAKWE has its origins in the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged in the 15th century among the Igbo people, who predominantly inhabit the region. The name is derived from the Igbo words "uwa," meaning "world," and "kwe," which means "to share or distribute."

One of the earliest known records of the UWAKWE surname dates back to the late 16th century, where it appeared in a local chieftaincy ledger documenting land ownership and tax records in the Awka region of present-day Anambra State. This suggests that the name may have originated from a prominent family or lineage within the Igbo community during that period.

In the 17th century, the UWAKWE name was mentioned in several historical accounts of trade interactions between Igbo merchants and European explorers along the Niger River. These records highlight the economic influence and trading prowess of certain UWAKWE families at the time.

Notable individuals bearing the UWAKWE surname include Nnamdi UWAKWE (1891-1976), a prominent Igbo businessman and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the eastern region of Nigeria during the colonial era. Another notable figure was Nwamaka UWAKWE (1924-2001), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education in Nigeria.

Other historical figures with the UWAKWE surname include Chukwuma UWAKWE (1867-1945), a respected traditional ruler and mediator known for resolving disputes between neighboring communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nnenna UWAKWE (1903-1989) was a renowned textile artist whose intricate weaving patterns and designs were widely celebrated throughout the region.

In the 19th century, the UWAKWE name was associated with several villages and settlements in the Igbo heartland, such as Uwakwe Enu, Uwakwe Ogidi, and Uwakwe Nri, which may have been named after prominent UWAKWE families or clans that inhabited those areas.

Throughout its history, the UWAKWE surname has maintained a strong presence among the Igbo people, reflecting the cultural values of community, sharing, and economic prosperity that are embedded in its linguistic roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Uwakwe

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

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

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

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