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

Mwaniki, 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 Mwaniki surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mwaniki in America

Mwaniki is the 85049th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mwaniki surname appeared 220 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 Mwaniki.

The history of the last name Mwaniki

The surname "Mwaniki" is of Kenyan origin and belongs to the Kikuyu ethnic group, one of the largest communities in Kenya. It traces its roots back to the Bantu expansion, a major migration of Bantu-speaking people across Sub-Saharan Africa that began around 3000 years ago.

The name "Mwaniki" is likely derived from the Kikuyu language and may have its origins in a personal name, a description of physical characteristics, or a reference to a specific location or event. However, the exact etymology and meaning of the name are not entirely clear.

Historical records and manuscripts documenting the Kikuyu people and their naming traditions are limited due to the predominantly oral nature of their culture. However, some early European explorers and missionaries who encountered the Kikuyu in the 19th century may have documented the name or its variants.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "Mwaniki" is Jomo Kenyatta (1891-1978), a renowned Kenyan political leader and the first president of independent Kenya. He played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

Another notable person with the surname "Mwaniki" is Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (born 1938), a renowned Kenyan writer, academic, and social activist. He is one of the most influential African writers of the 20th century and has been a vocal advocate for the preservation of African languages and cultures.

In the field of athletics, Benjamin Mwaniki (born 1982) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who has won several international marathons and represented Kenya in major competitions.

Elizabeth Mwaniki (born 1967) is a Kenyan politician and activist who has served as a member of the National Assembly of Kenya and has been involved in various initiatives related to women's rights and environmental conservation.

Lastly, Jane Mwaniki (born 1957) is a Kenyan entrepreneur and businesswoman who founded one of the largest coffee trading companies in East Africa, contributing significantly to the region's coffee industry.

While the surname "Mwaniki" may not be as widely recognized globally as some other Kenyan surnames, it holds historical significance within the Kikuyu community and has been carried by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mwaniki

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

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

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

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