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

Popularity of Neema by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Neema is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 73% of people named Neema being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 33 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Neema.

The history of the first name Neema

The name Neema is a Swahili name that originates from East Africa. It is derived from the Arabic word "ni'mah," which means "blessing" or "grace." The Swahili language is spoken in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The name Neema has been in use for centuries among the Swahili people, who are a Bantu ethnic group inhabiting the coastal regions of East Africa. Swahili culture has been influenced by various factors, including Arab and Persian traders who settled in the region during the Middle Ages.

While the name Neema does not appear in any ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been a popular name among the Swahili people for generations. The earliest recorded examples of the name date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, during the height of the Swahili coastal trading cities.

One notable person with the name Neema was Neema Mgana, a Tanzanian politician and women's rights activist. She served as a member of the Tanzanian Parliament from 1995 to 2010 and was a vocal advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment.

Another individual with the name Neema was Neema Nkya, a Tanzanian singer and musician. She was born in 1980 and is known for her contributions to the bongo flava genre, a popular form of Tanzanian hip hop and R&B.

In Kenya, Neema Nkatha was a prominent figure in the country's literary scene. She was a poet and author who published several collections of poetry and short stories, celebrating Kenyan culture and traditions. Nkatha was born in 1950 and passed away in 2018.

Neema Mugala was a Ugandan activist and advocate for women's rights. She founded the organization Women's Rights Initiative and worked tirelessly to promote gender equality and combat violence against women in Uganda. Mugala lived from 1965 to 2018.

In the world of sports, Neema Barnabas was a Tanzanian long-distance runner. She represented Tanzania in multiple international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships. Barnabas was born in 1985 and achieved notable success in marathons and cross-country events.

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

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

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