Find out how popular the first name Kissy has been for the last 7 years (from 1977 to 1983) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kissy by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Kissy is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1983, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kissy.

The history of the first name Kissy

The name Kissy is believed to have its origins in the Swahili language, spoken primarily in East Africa and parts of Central Africa. The name is thought to be derived from the Swahili word "kisu," which means "knife" or "dagger." This word likely found its way into the Swahili language through Arabic influence, as the word "kisu" bears resemblance to the Arabic term "kis," also meaning "knife."

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kissy can be traced back to the 18th century, particularly in regions of present-day Tanzania and Kenya, where Swahili was widely spoken. During this time, the name may have been used to symbolize strength, courage, or even a warrior-like spirit, drawing inspiration from the association with a blade or weapon.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Kissy was Kissy bin Kissy, a Swahili trader and explorer who lived in the late 18th century. He is believed to have been born in the coastal region of what is now Tanzania and was known for his extensive travels throughout East Africa, facilitating trade routes and establishing relationships with local communities.

In the 19th century, the name Kissy gained some prominence in the region, with historical records mentioning several individuals bearing this name. One notable figure was Kissy bin Rashid, a Swahili leader and advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar in the mid-1800s. He played a crucial role in diplomatic relations and trade negotiations between the Swahili coast and the Omani Empire.

Another individual of note was Kissy bin Ali, a Swahili merchant and explorer who lived in the late 19th century. He is known for his extensive travels throughout East Africa, documenting his experiences and observations of various cultures and trade routes in the region.

As the 20th century dawned, the name Kissy continued to be used in parts of East Africa, although its popularity may have waned somewhat. One notable figure from this era was Kissy Munyao, a Kenyan politician and activist who played a significant role in the country's independence movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

While the name Kissy has its roots in the Swahili language and East African culture, it has also found use in other parts of the world, particularly among communities with African diaspora connections. However, its historical significance remains closely tied to the regions where Swahili was and continues to be spoken.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kissy, 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!