Nyerere
From the Bantu language meaning "one who puts things together harmoniously".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Nyerere. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Nyerere today is around 46 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nyerere births was 1977 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Nyerere. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Nyerere. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
1977
6 babies that year
Average age
46
years old
1977 SSA rank
#5,644
Tracked since 1977
Popularity
Nyerere: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Nyerere by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Nyerere during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Nyerere
The given name Nyerere originated from the Zanaki language spoken in Tanzania. The name is believed to have emerged in the late 19th century, derived from the Zanaki word "kulinyera," which means "to walk with effort or to persevere."
Nyerere is a name closely associated with the Zanaki people, an ethnic group native to the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. The name gained prominence as a symbol of resilience and determination, reflecting the perseverance of the Zanaki community in the face of adversity.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Nyerere was Julius Kambarage Nyerere, born in 1922. He was a Tanzanian anti-colonial activist, politician, and the first president of Tanzania after its independence in 1961. Nyerere played a pivotal role in the country's struggle for independence and was revered for his commitment to African socialism and self-reliance.
Another notable figure with the name Nyerere was Andrew Nyerere, a Tanzanian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1972 to 1977. He played a significant role in shaping Tanzania's foreign policy during the early years of independence.
In the realm of sports, Filbert Bayi Nyerere, a Tanzanian long-distance runner, gained international acclaim in the 1970s. He held the world record in the 1500 meters event and won numerous medals at major competitions, including the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
Nyerere was also the name of a prominent Tanzanian singer and songwriter, Remmy Ongala Nyerere, who was known for his contributions to the Tanzanian music scene in the late 20th century. His music blended traditional African rhythms with contemporary styles, gaining popularity across the continent.
In the academic field, Joseph Nyerere, a Tanzanian scholar and professor of literature, made significant contributions to the study of African literature and culture. His works explored the intersections of literature, history, and social issues in Tanzania and broader East Africa.
While the name Nyerere has its roots in the Zanaki language and culture, it has transcended its origins and gained recognition across Tanzania and beyond, associated with figures who have left an indelible mark on various aspects of Tanzanian society.
People
Nyerere + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Nyerere as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Nyerere: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Nyerere?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nyerere going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Nyerere a common name?
We classify Nyerere as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Nyerere most popular?
The single biggest year for Nyerere was 1977, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nyerere is about 46 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Nyerere in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Nyerere a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Nyerere in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Nyerere still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Nyerere in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Nyerere can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Nyerere?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.