Kinyua last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Kinyua

A Kikuyu surname meaning 'the firstborn son'.

Kinyua, 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 Kinyua surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kinyua in America

Kinyua is the 105600th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kinyua surname appeared 169 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 Kinyua.

The history of the last name Kinyua

The surname KINYUA originated from the Kikuyu people of Kenya in East Africa. It is derived from the Kikuyu language and is thought to be derived from the word "kĩnyũa," which means "to raise" or "to lift up." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was known for their ability to lift heavy objects or perhaps someone who had a position of authority or respect within the community.

The earliest known records of the KINYUA surname date back to the late 19th century, when the British began establishing colonial rule in Kenya. It is likely that the name existed long before this time, but written records were scarce prior to the colonial period. One of the earliest documented individuals with the KINYUA surname was Mũgo wa KINYUA, a Kikuyu elder who lived in the late 1800s and was known for his leadership and wisdom.

Throughout the 20th century, the KINYUA surname became more widely documented as Kenya transitioned from a British colony to an independent nation. Notable individuals with this surname include John KINYUA, a prominent Kenyan politician who served as a member of parliament in the 1960s and 1970s, and Mary KINYUA, a respected educator and advocate for women's rights in the 1980s and 1990s.

Another noteworthy KINYUA was Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Although her surname was Maathai, her middle name was KINYUA, which she inherited from her father's side of the family. Wangari Maathai KINYUA was born in 1940 and became a renowned environmental activist and champion of sustainable development in Kenya.

More recently, there have been several KINYUA individuals who have gained recognition in various fields. David KINYUA, born in 1975, is a successful businessman and entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the Kenyan economy. Additionally, Grace KINYUA, born in 1982, is a talented artist and sculptor whose work has been exhibited internationally.

While the KINYUA surname has its roots in the Kikuyu community of Kenya, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the name remains closely tied to its Kenyan heritage and the rich cultural traditions of the Kikuyu people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kinyua

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

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 Kinyua was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 3.55% 6
Non-Hispanic Black Only 94.08% 159
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 0.00% 0

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

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

"Kinyua last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/kinyua-surname-popularity/.

"Kinyua last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/kinyua-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Kinyua last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/kinyua-surname-popularity/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.