Explore the Family Name Oku
The meaning of Oku
1. Japanese: usually written 奥 ‘interior’, but also 屋 ‘roof’ or ‘shop’, or 億 ‘myriad’. It can also be written phonetically, such as 於久 or 邑久. 2. West African (Nigeria and Ghana): unexplained.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Oku in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Oku has seen a rise in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In the year 2000, it was ranked as the 80,216th most popular surname, but by 2010 it had climbed up to become the 67,519th most common name, indicating a positive change of about 15.83%. Moreover, the count of people with this surname also increased from 220 in 2000 to 292 in 2010, marking a notable growth rate of 32.73%. The proportion of individuals named Oku per 100,000 people also rose by 25% over the ten-year period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #80,216 | #67,519 | 15.83% |
| Count | 220 | 292 | 32.73% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.08 | 0.1 | 25% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Oku
Turning towards ethnic identities associated with the surname Oku, the Decennial US Census information indicates some shifts between 2000 and 2010. The Asian/Pacific Islander community represented the majority holders of the name at 64.09% in 2000, although this figure decreased to 54.11% by 2010. The number of those identifying as Black with the surname Oku significantly increased from 16.36% to 26.37%, showing a significant change of 61.19%. Interestingly, there was an emergence of individuals who identify with two or more races holding the surname, moving from 0% to 6.51%. A slight decline was observed among those who identify as White, dropping from 9.55% to 8.22%. No Oku individuals identified as Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 64.09% | 54.11% | -15.57% |
| Black | 16.36% | 26.37% | 61.19% |
| White | 9.55% | 8.22% | -13.93% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 6.51% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 5.91% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |