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

Wainaina, 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 Wainaina surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wainaina in America

Wainaina is the 69996th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wainaina surname appeared 280 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 Wainaina.

The history of the last name Wainaina

The surname WAINAINA has its origins in Kenya, East Africa, and dates back to the Kikuyu ethnic group. It is a combination of two words in the Kikuyu language, "waina" meaning "child" and "ina" meaning "mother". Therefore, the name WAINAINA translates to "child of the mother" or "son of the mother".

The Kikuyu people have a rich cultural heritage and have traditionally used names that reflect their values, experiences, and environment. WAINAINA was likely given as a name to signify the importance of motherhood and the strong bond between a child and their mother.

Historically, the name WAINAINA has been recorded in various documents and manuscripts related to the Kikuyu community. Some of the earliest known mentions of the name can be found in genealogical records kept by Kikuyu elders and oral traditions passed down through generations.

One notable individual bearing the surname WAINAINA was Wangari Maathai (1940-2011), a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.

Another prominent figure with the WAINAINA surname was Ngugi wa Thiong'o (born 1938), a renowned Kenyan writer and academic. He has written numerous novels, plays, and essays that explore themes of colonialism, identity, and social justice. Ngugi wa Thiong'o is considered one of the most influential African writers of the 20th century.

In the realm of sports, Henry Wanyoike Wainaina (born 1986) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who has represented his country in various international competitions, including the Olympics and the World Championships.

Another notable individual is John Wainaina (born 1973), a Kenyan-born writer and satirist based in South Africa. He is known for his humorous and thought-provoking commentary on African culture and society.

Additionally, Binyavanga Wainaina (1971-2019) was a Kenyan author, journalist, and activist. He gained recognition for his memoir "One Day I Will Write About This Place" and his satirical essay "How to Write About Africa", which challenged stereotypes and perceptions about the African continent.

While the surname WAINAINA has its roots in Kenya, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and cultural significance remain deeply rooted in the Kikuyu tradition and the rich history of East Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wainaina

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

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

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

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