Find out how popular the last name Kangethe is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kangethe.

Kangethe, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kangethe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kangethe in America

Kangethe is the 116829th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kangethe surname appeared 149 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kangethe.

The history of the last name Kangethe

The surname Kangethe has its origins in Kenya, a country located in East Africa. It is a name derived from the Kikuyu language, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. The name is believed to have emerged during the 16th or 17th century, a period when many African cultures were establishing distinct identities and naming traditions.

The word Kangethe is thought to be derived from the Kikuyu phrase "kang'ethe," which means "one who is brave" or "one who is courageous." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals who displayed exceptional bravery or courage in the face of adversity.

Historical records of the name Kangethe are scarce, as many African naming traditions were primarily oral until the introduction of written records by European colonizers. However, some early references to the name can be found in oral histories and traditional Kikuyu folktales.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kangethe comes from the late 18th century, when a Kikuyu warrior named Kangethe is said to have led a successful resistance against a rival tribe's attempt to encroach on his community's land. This Kangethe's bravery and leadership were celebrated in songs and stories passed down through generations.

Another notable figure with the surname Kangethe was Ngũgĩ wa Kangethe, a prominent Kikuyu elder and spiritual leader who lived in the late 19th century. He was known for his wisdom and his efforts to preserve Kikuyu cultural traditions during the early years of British colonial rule.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the surname Kangethe made significant contributions to Kenyan society. One such individual was Jomo Kangethe (1924-1978), a Kenyan politician and activist who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule.

Another notable Kangethe was Wangari Maathai (1940-2011), a renowned Kenyan environmental and political activist who was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Although Maathai was not born with the surname Kangethe, she adopted it upon her marriage to Mwangi Maathai.

In more recent times, Mwai Kangethe (born 1962) has been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics, serving as a member of parliament and holding several ministerial positions in the Kenyan government.

While the surname Kangethe is most commonly associated with the Kikuyu people of Kenya, it has also spread to other parts of East Africa through migration and intermarriage. The name continues to carry a sense of pride and connection to the rich cultural heritage of the Kikuyu community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kangethe

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kangethe.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kangethe was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Kangethe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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