Emeka: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#8,447

among boys · ↑80 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Emeka

How common

1 in 189,786

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1978

20 babies

All-time total

498

#8,086 all-time among boys

First recorded

1974

in Social Security records

Emeka popularity over time

498 babies have been named Emeka since 1974, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1970s	17	37	54	5	–	#2,968
1980s	–	88	88	9	+63%	#2,960
1990s	–	108	108	11	+23%	#3,704
2000s	–	113	113	11	+5%	#5,077
2010s	–	83	83	8	-27%	#6,355
2020s (to 2025)	–	52	52	9	+4%	#6,638

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.

How old are people named Emeka?

The median living Emeka is about 25 years old; half are between 14 and 37. An estimated 500 people named Emeka are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Emeka Okafor American basketball player (born 1982) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Emeka, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Emeka?

The median living Emeka is about 25 years old. Half of all living Emekas are between 14 and 37 years old.

How many people named Emeka are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Emeka are alive in the United States, based on 498 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Emeka

Names that sound and feel close to Emeka: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Emeka with similar names → More names starting with E →