Ifeoma
A girl's name of Yoruba origin with 392 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. girl's names, Ifeoma is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
Appearing in records from 1972 to 2023, Ifeoma has a solid multi-decade track record without being a permanent fixture — it belongs to a specific chapter of American naming.
Ifeoma is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Ifeoma is a girl's baby name of Yoruba origin, from the Igbo language of Nigeria meaning 'good thing' or 'something beautiful.' In Igbo culture, names often express the parents' gratitude and joy at a child's birth.
Ifeoma gained literary prominence through Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Purple Hibiscus (2003), where the character Ifeoma is a warm, vibrant professor who embodies intellectual freedom. Adichie's global readership brought this beautiful Igbo name international attention.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Ifeoma is rooted in the Yoruba tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1972 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Ifeoma’s rarity (392 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ifeoma has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1972.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 23 | #12262 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 61 | #14607 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 86 | #10938 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 118 | #7788 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 77 | #7232 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 27 | #7795 | — |
The Story of Ifeoma
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1999, Ifeoma is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Ifeoma are most likely born between 1989 and 2009.
How rare is Ifeoma?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ifeoma is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, peaked in the 1990s with 118 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ifeoma by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
- Meeting one Ifeoma per day would take 1.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(43 years, 1972–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | #9861 |
| 2022 | 6 | #14229 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12696 |
| 2019 | 5 | #16456 |
| 2018 | 6 | #14492 |
| 2017 | 12 | #8989 |
| 2015 | 7 | #13533 |
| 2014 | 6 | #15327 |
| 2013 | 5 | #17576 |
| 2012 | 5 | #17855 |
| 2011 | 9 | #11544 |
| 2010 | 6 | #15691 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15965 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13043 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10166 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11243 |
| 2004 | 9 | #11031 |
| 2003 | 9 | #10750 |
| 2002 | 11 | #9068 |
| 2001 | 12 | #8390 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ifeoma a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ifeoma most popular?
How popular is the name Ifeoma?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2023