Find out how popular the first name Kenya has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kenya by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kenya is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 93% of people named Kenya being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 135 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kenya.

The history of the first name Kenya

The name Kenya is a modern name that originated in the 20th century, derived from the name of the East African country Kenya. The country's name comes from the Kikuyu phrase "Kĩ-Nyaa," which means "God's resting place" or "God's dwelling place."

Kenya was originally the name of a mountain in the region, which was later applied to the entire territory. The mountain's name is believed to have originated from the Kamba people's word "Kirenyaa," meaning "God's mountain."

The name Kenya first gained popularity as a given name after the country's independence from British colonial rule in 1963. The newly independent nation's name became a symbol of pride and identity, leading some parents to choose it as a name for their children.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Kenya was Kenya Jones, an American actress and singer born in 1973. Another notable person with this name is Kenya Moore, an American actress, model, and producer born in 1971.

In literature, the name Kenya appears in the novel "The Constant Gardener" by John le Carré, published in 2001. The book's protagonist, Justin Quayle, is a British diplomat stationed in Kenya.

Other historical figures with the name Kenya include Kenya Wilkins, an American basketball player born in 1977, and Kenya McQueen, an American model and reality TV personality born in 1985.

While the name Kenya is relatively new, it has become increasingly popular in recent decades, particularly in parts of Africa and among those with African heritage. Its connection to the East African country and its rich cultural heritage has contributed to its appeal as a given name.

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

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

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