Find out how popular the first name Keke has been for the last 1 years (from 1996 to 1996) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Keke by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Keke is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1996, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Keke.

The history of the first name Keke

The name Keke is believed to have originated from the Yoruba language spoken by the Yoruba people of West Africa, particularly in modern-day Nigeria. It is thought to have derived from the word "ekeke," which means "bird" or "parrot" in Yoruba. The name is thought to have been in use as early as the 15th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Keke can be found in the historical records of the Oyo Empire, a prominent Yoruba empire that existed between the 16th and 19th centuries. There are mentions of a Keke serving as a notable warrior and military leader during the reign of the Alaafin (king) Abiodun in the late 18th century.

In the 19th century, Keke was the name of a prominent Yoruba trader who was involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Keke, who lived from around 1810 to 1870, was known for his wealth and influence in the coastal region of present-day Nigeria.

Another notable bearer of the name was Keke Rosberg, a Finnish racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1978 to 1986. He was born Keijo Erik Rosberg in 1948 and won the Formula One World Championship in 1982.

In the realm of literature, Keke is the name of a character in the 1959 novel "Things Fall Apart" by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. The character, a young boy, plays a minor role in the novel, which explores the clash between traditional Igbo culture and European colonialism.

Keke was also the name of a prominent Nigerian musician and songwriter who lived from 1942 to 2004. Born Olalekan Ogunnuga, he was known for his contributions to the development of the Afrobeat genre and his collaborations with musicians such as Fela Kuti.

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 Keke was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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