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

Njoroge, 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 Njoroge surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Njoroge in America

Njoroge is the 22608th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Njoroge surname appeared 1,136 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 Njoroge.

We can also compare 2010 data for Njoroge to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Njoroge

The surname Njoroge originates from Kenya and is derived from the Kikuyu language. It is believed to have originated in the 17th or 18th century in the central region of Kenya, where the Kikuyu people have traditionally lived. The name is thought to be derived from the word "njoroge," which means "one who walks a long distance."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Njoroge can be found in the writings of Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary who lived in Kenya in the 19th century. Krapf documented the Kikuyu language and culture, and his writings mention the name Njoroge as a common surname among the Kikuyu people.

Historical records from the colonial era in Kenya also contain references to individuals with the surname Njoroge. For example, Johnstone Kamau Njoroge, a prominent Kenyan politician and independence activist, was born in 1920. He played a significant role in the struggle for Kenyan independence from British colonial rule.

Another notable figure with the surname Njoroge is Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, a renowned Kenyan writer and scholar who was born in 1938. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is widely recognized for his literary works that explore themes of colonialism, post-colonialism, and African identity. He has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Nonino International Prize for Literature in 2001.

In the field of athletics, one of the most famous individuals with the surname Njoroge is Henry Wanyoike Njoroge, a Kenyan long-distance runner who won the gold medal in the 3000 meters steeplechase event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He was born in 1944 and has been recognized as one of Kenya's greatest athletes.

Another notable bearer of the surname Njoroge is Jane Njeri Njoroge, a Kenyan businesswoman and entrepreneur. She founded the Kenyan mobile banking service M-Pesa in 2007, which revolutionized financial services in the country and served as a model for mobile money platforms worldwide. Jane Njeri Njoroge was born in 1961 and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the field of technology and financial inclusion.

The surname Njoroge continues to be widely used among the Kikuyu people and other communities in Kenya. While its origin can be traced back to the central region of Kenya, individuals with this surname can now be found in various parts of the country and around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Njoroge

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

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 Njoroge 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Njoroge has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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