Emeka
Every Emeka since 1974 — 498 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Emeka
Emeka is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,447 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1974, 498 American babies have been named Emeka. Its peak came in 1978, when 20 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Emeka stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Emeka year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 9 | #8,447 |
| 2024 | — | — | 9 | #8,527 |
| 2023 | — | — | 13 | #6,638 |
| 2022 | — | — | 8 | #9,232 |
| 2021 | — | — | 5 | #12,697 |
| 2020 | — | — | 8 | #8,972 |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | 8 | #9,069 |
| 2017 | — | — | 10 | #7,749 |
| 2016 | — | — | 10 | #7,764 |
| 2015 | — | — | 11 | #7,210 |
| 2014 | — | — | 5 | #12,628 |
| 2013 | — | — | 13 | #6,355 |
| 2012 | — | — | 9 | #8,358 |
| 2011 | — | — | 7 | #9,944 |
| 2010 | — | — | 10 | #7,753 |
| 2009 | — | — | 10 | #7,874 |
| 2008 | — | — | 13 | #6,514 |
| 2007 | — | — | 10 | #7,762 |
| 2006 | — | — | 12 | #6,589 |
| 2005 | — | — | 10 | #7,276 |
| 2004 | — | — | 16 | #5,077 |
| 2003 | — | — | 12 | #5,984 |
| 2002 | — | — | 13 | #5,500 |
| 2001 | — | — | 10 | #6,603 |
| 2000 | — | — | 7 | #8,472 |
| 1995 | — | — | 8 | #6,571 |
| 1990 | — | — | 8 | #6,010 |
| 1985 | — | — | 7 | #5,320 |
| 1980 | — | — | 8 | #4,626 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Emeka
- Emeka Okafor Basketball player · b. 1982
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Emeka in 2025?
Emeka ranked #8,447 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Emeka?
498 babies have been named Emeka in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Emeka most popular?
Emeka peaked in 1978, when 20 newborns received the name.
Is Emeka a boy or girl name?
Emeka is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 97% of babies with the name.
Is the name Emeka rising or falling?
Emeka is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Emeka?
Well-known people named Emeka include Emeka Okafor (basketball player).