Okori
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | Ijaw |
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Nigeria |
| Meaning | to reside in favour |
| Region of origin | Niger Delta |
Okori ⓘ is a surname of Ijaw origin and can be traced to multiple ethnolinguistic areas found across West, Central, and East Africa, as well as in parts of Oceania. It appears among several cultural groups, particularly in Nigeria and Uganda, where the highest populations bearing the name are found.
The name also occurs in countries such as Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Gabon, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea. Its presence across these regions reflects historical patterns of migration, interethnic contact, cultural exchange and sociopolitical developments such as the transatlantic slave trade.
Historical context
[edit]The distribution of the surname Okori across diverse regions illustrates broader patterns of movement, intermarriage, colonial-era naming practices, and cultural transmission. While the name is widely shared, its interpretation and significance differ across linguistic and cultural contexts. The appearance of Okori in both personal names and place names suggests a long-standing presence in traditional systems of identity and social organization.
Etymology and regional variations
[edit]Ijaw Usage
[edit]In the Ijaw languages of the Niger Delta, Okori means to reside with favour. It is used as both a given name. The name is also found in place names, such as Okori-ama,[1] a compound in the town of Ammassoma,[2] Bayelsa State. The suffix -ama denotes a settlement or village in Ijaw dialects.
Eleme (Ogoni-Alesa) usage
[edit]In Rivers State, Nigeria, the town of Okori is located within the Eleme Local Government Area and is part of the Ogoni/Alesa cultural region. It is governed under a traditional institution headed by the Egbere Emere Okori I, the paramount ruler of the Okori community within the Eleme Kingdom.[3] The name in this context functions both as a geographic identifier and a cultural title.
Central, east african, and oceanic usage
[edit]Beyond Nigeria, the surname Okori is also recorded in Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Gabon, and Kenya. In Uganda and Nigeria, the surname has the highest concentration.[4] In Central African countries such as Chad and Gabon, the name is used within local naming systems and may carry distinct meanings. In Kenya, it appears among certain communities, potentially introduced through historical migration or cross-cultural ties. The name is also found in Papua New Guinea, likely reflecting diasporic spread or independent local usage.
Variants
[edit]Okorie – A name found among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. Though sometimes considered a variant of Okori in phonetic terms, it has a separate origin and meaning. Okorie traditionally refers to a child born on the Orie market day in the Igbo calendar and is distinct from Okori in usage and cultural context.
Notable individuals
[edit]- Reïna-Flor Okori – A track and field athlete from Equatorial Guinea who has represented[5] her country in multiple Olympic Games.[6]
- HRH Chief (Engr.) Okori Obana Christopher – Traditional titleholder, Engineer, businessman, and contractor; member of the House of Okori in Anyama-Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.[7]
- Dr. Joseph Okori – Wildlife conservationist and former head of the African Rhino Programme under the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in South Africa.[8]
- Mr. Ivan Okori – Ugandan entrepreneur and Managing Director of WindWood Millers Ltd.[9]
- HRH Lawrence Samuel Okori – Former chairman of the Anyama Rural Development Authority, Bayelsa State; member of the House of Okori.[7]
- Egbere Emere Okori I – Paramount traditional ruler of Okori town in the Eleme Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria.[3]
- HRH Okori Ariwepere Christopher – Business development consultant and entrepreneur; member of the House of Okori.[10]
- Chief Inibehe Okori – Nigerian politician; senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom Northwest District.[11]
See also
[edit]Ijaw people
Igbo people
Eleme people
Okorie
Niger Delta
References
[edit]- ^ "Lawmaker comes under attack over 'floating toilet',project". Daily Trust. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ^ A, Cable (2017-07-25). "Amid criticism, Bayelsa lawmaker defends construction of 'floating toilet'". TheCable. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ^ a b "A Traditional Ruler's Quest for National Unity – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ^ F, Forebears (2014). "Okori Surname Distribution Statistics". Forebears.io.
- ^ "Reina-Flor OKORI | Profile | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Archived from the original on 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ^ Olympic (2008). "Reina Flor Okori Stats". olympics.com.
- ^ a b "A Research Paper on the Royal House of Okori | PDF | Nigeria | Sustainability". Scribd. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Experts agree to enhanced international DNA testing of rhinos | University of Pretoria". www.up.ac.za. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ^ "Commodity Value Chain Archives". Africa Innovations Institute. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ^ Okonkwo, Amarachi (2025-06-23). "Firm pledges to tackle Nigeria's agricultural supply chain challenges". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ Nation, The (2015-02-05). "Okori: APC 'll liberate Akwa Ibom from tyranny". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.