Ifeoma is a beautiful African name of Igbo origin, a major ethnic group in Nigeria. It is composed of two words: "ife" meaning "love", and "oma" which means "good". Therefore, Ifeoma translates to "Good love".
The name Ifeoma has a rich history and cultural significance in the Igbo tradition. In many African cultures, names are often given based on the circumstances surrounding an individual's birth or the attributes desired for them. Ifeoma is no exception; it was traditionally bestowed upon girls born during difficult times as a wish for love and goodness to prevail.
In Nigeria, where the Igbos make up about 30% of the population, Ifeoma is quite common and beloved. It's not uncommon to find women named Ifeoma in various professional fields, including politics, academia, arts, and sciences, reflecting the positivity and goodwill that the name embodies.
The name Ifeoma also has a musical quality to it, with its melodic pronunciation ("ee-feh-O-mah"). This has contributed to its appeal beyond Nigeria, making it a popular choice among African communities worldwide. Despite being less common in other parts of Africa and outside the continent, those who bear this name often take pride in their unique identity and heritage.
In essence, Ifeoma is more than just a name; it carries with it the hopes and aspirations for love, goodness, and prosperity. It serves as a reminder of one's roots and the collective desires of communities across generations.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Ifeoma has seen a varied trend of popularity among parents naming their newborn daughters in the United States over the past five decades.
The name first appeared in the records in 1972 with seven births that year. It maintained a similar level of popularity over the next few years, with five births in 1973 and seven births in both 1978 and 1980. However, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Ifeoma in 1983, with thirteen births recorded that year. This high number was repeated again in 1984.
The popularity of the name continued to fluctuate throughout the 1980s and 1990s, ranging from a low of six births in 1993 to a high of seventeen births in 1999. The trend of varying popularity persisted into the 2000s, with numbers ranging from five to eleven births per year.
In recent years, there has been a slight increase in the number of babies named Ifeoma. There were twelve births recorded in 2017 and ten births in both 2023. Overall, based on the statistics provided, a total of 392 babies have been named Ifeoma in the United States since 1972.
These statistics suggest that while the name Ifeoma has not been consistently popular over time, it has maintained a steady presence among parents choosing unique names for their daughters. The varied trend of popularity may indicate that the name is chosen by parents who appreciate its distinctiveness and are looking for a less common name for their child.