Kengi first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kengi has been for the last 1 years (from 2012 to 2012) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kengi

A masculine name of Japanese origin meaning "superior tree".

Popularity of Kengi by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Kengi is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2012, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kengi.

Year Male Count Female Count
2012 5 0

The history of the first name Kengi

The name Kengi has its origins in the ancient Sumerian language, which was spoken in the southern regions of Mesopotamia, now modern-day Iraq, around 3500 BCE. It is derived from the Sumerian words "ken" meaning "reed" and "gi" meaning "to restore or revive." The name Kengi was likely given to individuals who possessed qualities of resilience, strength, and the ability to bounce back from adversity, much like a reed bending with the wind but not breaking.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kengi can be found in the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. It mentions a king named Kengi-an who ruled over the city of Lagas, a significant center of culture and commerce in ancient Sumer.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest surviving works of literature from Mesopotamia, there is a character named Kengi-bau, a wise woman and priestess who aids the hero Gilgamesh on his journey. This reference suggests that the name Kengi held significant cultural and spiritual significance in ancient Sumerian society.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Kengi. One such person was Kengi-kanna, a renowned Sumerian scribe and scholar who lived around 2500 BCE. He is credited with preserving and expanding the knowledge of cuneiform writing, which played a crucial role in the development of ancient Mesopotamian civilization.

Another historical figure was Kengi-bau II, a high priestess of the moon god Nanna, who lived in the city of Ur during the reign of the Akkadian Empire around 2350 BCE. Her influence extended beyond religious matters, and she is believed to have played a significant role in the political and cultural affairs of her time.

In the 18th century BCE, there was a Babylonian king named Kengi-rabi who ruled over the city of Isin. Although little is known about his reign, his name suggests a connection to the ancient Sumerian tradition and the enduring influence of the name Kengi.

It is important to note that while the name Kengi has its roots in ancient Sumerian culture, its use and popularity have waned over time. However, it remains a testament to the rich heritage and linguistic diversity of the region, serving as a reminder of the important contributions made by the Sumerian civilization to the development of human society.

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

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

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"Kengi first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 7, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kengi-meaning-and-history/.

"Kengi first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kengi-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 7 May, 2025

Kengi first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kengi-meaning-and-history/.

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