NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Olisaemeka

A masculine Nigerian name meaning "God's work prospers".

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.

Olisaemeka is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Olisaemeka popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 5 births.

This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2005 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Olisaemeka. 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

  • Olisaemeka ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 5 boys were registered as Olisaemeka.
  • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Olisaemeka as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5119

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2005

5 births

Estimated living

22

2026

Meaning

What does Olisaemeka mean?

The name Olisaemeka originates from the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. It is a compound name derived from the words 'Oli' meaning 'work' or 'labor', 'Isa' meaning 'to supplement' or 'to increase', and 'Emeka' meaning 'the great one has done more'. Together, the name can be interpreted as "the great one has increased or supplemented the work or labor".

The Igbo people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries, and their naming traditions often reflect values, events, or circumstances surrounding a child's birth. The name Olisaemeka likely emerged during a time when hard work and perseverance were highly valued in Igbo society.

While the name's precise origins are unknown, it is believed to have been in use among the Igbo people for several centuries. However, there are no records of the name appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures from the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Olisaemeka is in the late 19th century, when it was borne by Olisaemeka Nwafor, a prominent Igbo trader and entrepreneur who lived from 1865 to 1932. Nwafor was known for his business acumen and his role in facilitating trade between the Igbo people and European merchants.

Another notable figure with this name was Olisaemeka Okoro, a Nigerian politician and activist who lived from 1920 to 1995. Okoro was a vocal advocate for the rights of the Igbo people and played a significant role in the Nigerian independence movement.

In the realm of literature, Olisaemeka Nwapa, a Nigerian author and academic born in 1935, made significant contributions to the development of African literature. Her novel "Efuru" is considered a seminal work in the exploration of gender roles and the experiences of women in traditional Igbo society.

Olisaemeka Onyimadu, born in 1942, was a renowned Nigerian artist known for his vibrant paintings and sculptures that depicted Igbo cultural themes and traditions. His works have been exhibited internationally and are celebrated for their representation of Igbo identity and heritage.

Lastly, Olisaemeka Ezeoke, a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist born in 1948, has made significant contributions to the development of the Igbo community through his various initiatives and charitable organizations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Olisaemeka over time

The chart below shows babies named Olisaemeka registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 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 Olisaemeka, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Olisaemeka
01345200520142024

Decades

Olisaemeka by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Olisaemeka 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 #4613 7 2
2010s #4632 3 1
2000s #3592 12 3

Related

Names similar to Olisaemeka

FAQ

Olisaemeka: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Olisaemeka was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Olisaemeka most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 5 babies registered as Olisaemeka in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Olisaemeka?

A masculine Nigerian name meaning "God's work prospers".

How many people are called Olisaemeka in the UK?

A total of 22 babies have been registered as Olisaemeka across the 6 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.