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Home › Baby Names Directory › Okoye

Okoye

♂ Boy

Pronounced oh-KOH-yeh /oʊˈkoʊ.jeɪ/Low

Meaning: Okoye is a traditional Igbo name from southeastern Nigeria, given to a boy born on Orie, one of the four days of the Igbo market week (also written Oye). Igbo market-day names of this kind mark the day of a child's birth and are a common, meaningful naming custom. It is also a widespread Igbo family name.Low

In 30 seconds: Okoye is an Igbo name for a boy born on the Orie market day, part of the four-day Igbo week. It is rare in United States records (said oh-KOH-yeh).
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Origin LowIgbo, Nigerian
MeaningOkoye is a traditional Igbo name from southeastern Nigeria, given to a boy born on Orie, one of the four days of the Igbo market week (also written Oye). Igbo market-day names of this kind mark the day of a child's birth and are a common, meaningful naming custom. It is also a widespread Igbo family name.
U.S. rank (1995)#9890 ↘ Falling
1995 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 51

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199119901995

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Okoye comes from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, where a child's name often records the market day of birth. Okoye marks the Orie (Oye) day within the four-day Igbo week. It is a deeply rooted custom and a very common Igbo surname; in the United States it appears mainly among Nigerian families and is also familiar to some as a character name in popular film.

As a given name in the United States it was never common, recorded for only about sixteen boys a year at its peak in the early nineteen-nineties. A boy named Okoye then is a young adult today.

Did you know? In Igbo tradition the market week has four days, Eke, Orie, Afo and Nkwo, and each gives rise to birth names; Okoye marks a boy born on Orie, also spelled Oye.
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Okoye — Igbo market-day name (Orie/Oye); Nigerian; also a common surname

Variations

OkonkwoOkaforOkeke

Nicknames

OkoKoye

Famous Bearers

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Odera— another Igbo name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Okoye mean?

It is an Igbo name for a boy born on the Orie (Oye) market day, one of the four days of the Igbo week; it is also a common Igbo surname.

How do you pronounce Okoye?

It is said oh-KOH-yeh /oʊˈkoʊ.jeɪ/ - three syllables.

Is Okoye a boy or girl name?

Okoye is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Okoye?

As a first name in the United States it was always rare, recorded for only about sixteen boys a year at its peak in the early nineteen-nineties.

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