NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Isioma

A feminine Igbo name meaning "to struggle and achieve".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Isioma is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Isioma popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 6 births.

This profile covers 40 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2006 to 2024. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 40 living people in the UK are called Isioma. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Isioma ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 6 girls were registered as Isioma.
  • About 40 living people in the UK are estimated to have Isioma as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2021

6 births

Estimated living

40

2026

Meaning

What does Isioma mean?

The name Isioma originates from the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. It is a compound word formed by combining the Igbo words "isi" meaning "head" and "oma" meaning "good" or "great". Thus, the name Isioma can be interpreted to mean "great head" or "good head".

This name has been in use among the Igbo people of Nigeria for centuries, reflecting the cultural significance placed on wisdom, intelligence, and leadership within Igbo society. The Igbo are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, with a rich cultural heritage and a strong emphasis on traditional values.

While the name Isioma does not appear to be explicitly referenced in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its meaning and use can be traced back to the cultural traditions and oral histories of the Igbo people. The earliest recorded instances of the name are found in genealogical records and historical accounts from the 19th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Isioma. One prominent example is Isioma Daniel Okwochiri (1920-2003), a Nigerian educator and administrator who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1970 to 1976. Another notable figure is Isioma Nkemdilim Nwadiogu (born 1960), a Nigerian-American playwright, poet, and academic.

In the realm of literature, Isioma Chilaka Achebe (born 1958) is a Nigerian author and the daughter of the renowned writer Chinua Achebe. Her works explore themes of identity, culture, and the experiences of women in contemporary Nigeria.

Isioma Ngozi Eboh (born 1960) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy in Nigeria, making significant contributions to the country's economic development.

Another notable individual is Isioma Izundu (born 1982), a Nigerian-American actress and model who has appeared in various television shows and films, including "The Walking Dead" and "Watchmen".

While these are just a few examples, the name Isioma has been borne by numerous individuals throughout history, reflecting its cultural significance and enduring popularity among the Igbo people of Nigeria.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Isioma over time

The chart below shows babies named Isioma registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Isioma, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Isioma
02356200620152024

Decades

Isioma by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Isioma 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 #4624 22 5
2010s #5273 14 4
2000s #4157 4 1

Related

Names similar to Isioma

FAQ

Isioma: questions and answers

How popular is the name Isioma in the UK right now?

In 2024, Isioma was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Isioma most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 6 babies registered as Isioma in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Isioma?

A feminine Igbo name meaning "to struggle and achieve".

How many people are called Isioma in the UK?

A total of 40 babies have been registered as Isioma across the 10 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.