UK name, mostly boys
Ugonna
A Nigerian masculine name meaning "strength of the father".
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.
Ugonna is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Ugonna popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2921, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 9 births.
This profile covers 66 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2004 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 78% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 66 living people in the UK are called Ugonna. 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
- • Ugonna ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 9 boys were registered as Ugonna.
- • About 66 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ugonna as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 91.7% of Ugonna registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2921
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
2023
9 births
Estimated living
66
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Ugonna
In England and Wales birth records, Ugonna has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 91.7% of registrations are for boys and 8.3% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Ugonna registered for boys
- Ranked #2,921 in 2024
- 7 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (9 births)
Ugonna registered for girls
- Ranked #5,876 in 2012
- 3 girls registered in 2012
- Peak: 2008 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Ugonna mean?
The name Ugonna originates from the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Igbo words: "Ugonna" meaning "father's wealth" or "father's fortune." The name likely first arose during the pre-colonial era when the Igbo culture placed great significance on lineage, ancestry, and the idea of a father's legacy being passed down through his children.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ugonna can be found in the literary work "Things Fall Apart" by the renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, published in 1958. In this novel, one of the characters bears the name Ugonna, reflecting the name's deep roots in Igbo culture and tradition.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ugonna. One such figure was Ugonna Ozurigbo (c. 1885 - 1965), a prominent Igbo chief and community leader who played a crucial role in the social and political affairs of his region during the early 20th century.
Another significant bearer of the name was Ugonna Okpara (1920 - 2001), a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the first Premier of the Eastern Region of Nigeria from 1959 to 1966. He was a key figure in the country's transition to independence and worked tirelessly to promote the interests of the Igbo people.
In the realm of sports, Ugonna Onyeneke (born 1982) is a Nigerian-American former basketball player who played professionally in various leagues across Europe and Asia. His name serves as a testament to the global reach and recognition of Igbo names.
Ugonna Okpara (born 1991) is a contemporary Nigerian actress and model who has gained popularity for her roles in several Nollywood films. Her name reflects the continued use and appreciation of traditional Igbo names in modern times.
While the name Ugonna has its roots in the Igbo culture of southeastern Nigeria, it has transcended geographical boundaries and found its way into the lives of individuals from various backgrounds, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity of the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ugonna over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Ugonna in England and Wales, from 2004 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 Ugonna, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ugonna by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ugonna 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 | #2914 | 27 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4016 | 28 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3694 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Ugonna
- Umar 4,932
- Usman 2,413
- Uzair 1,549
- Umair 1,044
- Uthman 531
- Usmaan 476
- Uwais 438
- Ubaid 383
- Umer 325
- Umut 303
- Uzayr 299
- Uriel 276
FAQ
Ugonna: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ugonna in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ugonna was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Ugonna most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 9 babies registered as Ugonna in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ugonna?
A Nigerian masculine name meaning "strength of the father".
How many people are called Ugonna in the UK?
A total of 66 babies have been registered as Ugonna across the 14 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.