Okafor

The origin of the surname Okafor

Okafor is an Igbo (Nigerian) name for a boy born on the Afor market day.

How African surnames work

“African” covers a vast range of naming traditions rather than one system. Across sub-Saharan cultures — Yoruba, Igbo, Akan, Zulu, Amharic and many more — surnames and given names are frequently meaningful words in the local language, referring to circumstances of birth, the day of the week, praise of God, lineage or a family's history. Colonial contact also left European surnames in many regions, so an African family name may reflect indigenous heritage, faith or history.