Find out how popular the first name Tenneh has been for the last 1 years (from 1998 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tenneh by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Tenneh is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tenneh.

The history of the first name Tenneh

The name Tenneh has its origins in the Mende language, spoken by the Mende people of Sierra Leone in West Africa. It is a feminine given name that likely derives from the Mende word "ten," meaning "to love" or "to desire." The name can be traced back to at least the 18th century in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tenneh can be found in the journals of British explorer Mungo Park, who embarked on an expedition to West Africa in 1795. Park's writings mention a Mende woman named Tenneh, whom he encountered during his travels.

In the 19th century, the name Tenneh gained some prominence as a result of its association with Tenneh Bundu, a renowned Mende leader and warrior who played a significant role in the resistance against British colonial rule in Sierra Leone. Bundu, who lived from approximately 1820 to 1880, is celebrated for her bravery and her efforts to protect her people's autonomy and way of life.

Another notable Tenneh in history was Tenneh Ahadzie, a Ghanaian educator and social reformer who lived from 1890 to 1972. Ahadzie was a pioneer in the field of girls' education in Ghana and worked tirelessly to promote literacy and empowerment for women.

In the realm of literature, the name Tenneh appears in the works of Sierra Leonean writer and poet Syl Cheney-Coker, who was born in 1945. Cheney-Coker's poetry often explores themes of identity, culture, and the experiences of the Mende people.

A more contemporary figure bearing the name Tenneh is Tenneh Isatu Freeman, a Sierra Leonean politician and activist who has been a member of the Parliament of Sierra Leone since 2007. Freeman has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and has worked to promote gender equality in her country.

While the name Tenneh has its roots in the Mende culture of Sierra Leone, it has also gained recognition and usage in other parts of West Africa, particularly in neighboring countries such as Liberia and Guinea, where there are populations of Mende descent.

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

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

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