Find out how popular the first name Jomo has been for the last 28 years (from 1974 to 2001) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jomo by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Jomo is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2001, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jomo.

The history of the first name Jomo

The name Jomo is believed to have its origins in the Kikuyu language, spoken by the Kikuyu people of Kenya. It is thought to be derived from the Kikuyu word "jomo" meaning "burning spear" or "burning stick".

In the early 20th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Jomo Kenyatta (1889-1978), a Kenyan anti-colonial activist and politician who became the first Prime Minister and President of an independent Kenya. His birth name was Kamau wa Ngengi, but he adopted the name Jomo as a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule.

The name Jomo has been used throughout history, though not as widely as some other names. One notable bearer was Jomo Nakazono (1607-1651), a Japanese samurai warrior and daimyo (feudal lord) who played a significant role in the Siege of Osaka in 1615.

In literature, the name Jomo appears in the novel "Weep Not, Child" by Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o, published in 1964. The novel's protagonist, Njoroge, has a younger brother named Jomo.

Another historical figure with the name Jomo was Jomo Cosmos (1959-), a South African soccer player and coach who played for various clubs in South Africa and the United States in the 1970s and 1980s.

Jomo Kenyatta's influence and the popularity of his name have led to its use in various contexts, including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, also located in Kenya.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jomo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jomo, please contact us.

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