UK boy's name
Emeka
Of Igbo origin meaning "the Prince is supreme, great or mighty".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Emeka is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Emeka popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3112, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 7 births.
This profile covers 55 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 86% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 55 living people in the UK are called Emeka. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Emeka ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 7 boys were registered as Emeka.
- • About 55 living people in the UK are estimated to have Emeka as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3112
2023
Births in 2023
6
Latest year
Peak year
2007
7 births
Estimated living
55
2026
Meaning
What does Emeka mean?
The name Emeka originates from the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Igbo words: 'eme' meaning 'good' and 'ka' meaning 'play'. Therefore, Emeka means 'good play' or 'good fortune'.
The name Emeka has its roots in the ancient Igbo culture, which dates back thousands of years. It is believed to have been derived from the traditional Igbo naming practices, where names often carry deep symbolic meanings and convey blessings or aspirations for the child.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Emeka can be traced back to the 15th century, during the height of the Nri Kingdom, a powerful Igbo civilization known for its rich cultural traditions and oral histories. Emeka was likely a name bestowed upon male children born during auspicious times or to families of high social standing.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Emeka. One of the earliest recorded examples is Emeka Okafor (c. 1450-1520), a renowned warrior and strategist who played a pivotal role in defending the Nri Kingdom against invading forces.
Another prominent figure was Emeka Anyaoku (born 1933), a Nigerian diplomat and international civil servant who served as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 1990 to 2000. His leadership and advocacy for global peace and development earned him widespread recognition.
In the literary realm, Emeka Okereke (1900-1977) was a celebrated Igbo writer and educator who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Igbo culture through his works, including novels, short stories, and plays.
Emeka Ojukwu (1933-2011), a Nigerian military officer and politician, was a prominent figure in the Nigerian Civil War. He served as the leader of the secessionist state of Biafra from 1967 to 1970, making him a controversial yet influential figure in Nigerian history.
Another notable bearer of the name is Emeka Ike (born 1967), a celebrated Nigerian actor and filmmaker who has starred in numerous Nollywood productions and received critical acclaim for his performances.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Emeka and have made their mark in various fields, from warfare and politics to literature, diplomacy, and entertainment.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Emeka over time
The chart below shows babies named Emeka registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Emeka, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2023, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Emeka by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Emeka was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3282 | 11 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4021 | 21 | 5 |
| 2000s | #2414 | 17 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2861 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Emeka
- Ethan 77,394
- Edward 53,212
- Elliot 23,450
- Elijah 22,369
- Ellis 19,358
- Elliott 16,964
- Evan 14,535
- Ezra 11,838
- Ewan 10,685
- Eli 8,126
- Elias 7,049
- Eric 6,654
FAQ
Emeka: questions and answers
How popular is the name Emeka in the UK right now?
In 2023, Emeka was ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Emeka most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 7 babies registered as Emeka in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Emeka?
Of Igbo origin meaning "the Prince is supreme, great or mighty".
How many people are called Emeka in the UK?
A total of 55 babies have been registered as Emeka across the 12 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.