Find out how popular the first name Kenye has been for the last 12 years (from 1999 to 2010) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kenye by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Kenye is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2010, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kenye.

The history of the first name Kenye

The name Kenye is believed to have originated from the Yoruba language spoken primarily in southwestern Nigeria and neighboring areas. The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, with a rich cultural heritage dating back centuries.

According to linguistic experts, the name Kenye is derived from the Yoruba word "ọmọ kẹ́nyẹ̀," which translates to "a child born on a journey." In traditional Yoruba culture, names often carried significant meanings and were chosen based on the circumstances surrounding a child's birth or other auspicious events.

While the exact origins of the name Kenye are uncertain, it is thought to have been in use among the Yoruba people for several centuries. However, there are no known historical references to the name in ancient texts or religious scriptures from the region.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Kenye can be found in the records of the Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba state that flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries. Kenye Ajayi, a renowned warrior and military strategist, played a pivotal role in the expansion and defense of the empire during the late 17th century.

Another notable figure with the name Kenye was Kenye Adeleye, a renowned artist and sculptor from the Yoruba town of Ife. Adeleye's intricate woodcarvings and sculptures depicting Yoruba deities and cultural scenes were highly acclaimed during the early 20th century.

In the realm of literature, Kenye Olajide was a prominent Yoruba writer and poet who lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works, which explored themes of tradition, identity, and social change, contributed significantly to the preservation of Yoruba language and culture.

Moving forward in time, Kenye Ogunlesi was a Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule in the mid-20th century. Ogunlesi's advocacy and legal expertise helped shape the transition to a independent Nigeria.

Lastly, Kenye Bankole was a renowned Nigerian architect and urban planner who made significant contributions to the development of modern cities and infrastructure in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa during the latter half of the 20th century.

While the name Kenye may not be as widely known as some other Yoruba names, it carries a rich cultural heritage and has been borne by notable individuals throughout history, highlighting its enduring significance within the Yoruba community and beyond.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!