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

Waithaka, 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 Waithaka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Waithaka in America

Waithaka is the 109258th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Waithaka surname appeared 162 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 Waithaka.

The history of the last name Waithaka

The surname WAITHAKA originates from the Kikuyu people of Kenya, an ethnic group native to the central highlands of the country. The name is believed to have derived from the Kikuyu language, where "Waithaka" roughly translates to "one who comes from or belongs to the Ithaka clan."

The earliest known records of the WAITHAKA surname can be traced back to the 17th century, during the height of the Gikuyu kingdoms in the region now known as Central Province, Kenya. Several historical accounts and oral traditions mention individuals bearing the name, suggesting its prevalence among the Kikuyu people at that time.

One notable early mention of the WAITHAKA name is found in the "Kĩrĩra Kĩa Mũgīthi," a collection of Kikuyu proverbs and wisdom compiled in the late 18th century. This work references a wise elder named Waithaka wa Kĩhĩa, who is said to have been a respected leader and advisor within his community.

In the 19th century, as European explorers and missionaries began documenting the local populations, the WAITHAKA name appeared in various records and accounts. One such example is the diary of Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary who lived among the Kikuyu people in the 1840s. Krapf's writings mention a chief named Waithaka wa Mũthami, who ruled over a significant territory in the region.

As the 20th century dawned, several notable individuals with the WAITHAKA surname emerged. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (born 1938), a renowned Kenyan writer and academic, is perhaps the most famous bearer of this name. His works, including novels like "Weep Not, Child" and "The River Between," have been influential in exploring themes of colonialism, identity, and Kenyan culture.

Another prominent figure was Mbiyu Koinange (1907-1981), a Kenyan politician and businessman who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence. Koinange, whose full name was Mbiyu Waithaka Koinange, served as a member of the Legislative Council and later became the first African to be appointed to the Executive Council of Kenya.

During the 20th century, the WAITHAKA name also spread beyond Kenya's borders as members of the Kikuyu community migrated to other parts of the world. For instance, Josiah Waithaka (1925-2011), a Kenyan-born Anglican bishop, served as the Bishop of Mashonaland in Zimbabwe from 1973 to 1995.

In contemporary times, the WAITHAKA surname remains closely associated with the Kikuyu people and their cultural heritage. It continues to be a prominent name within Kenya and among the Kikuyu diaspora worldwide, reflecting the rich history and traditions of this East African ethnic group.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Waithaka

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

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

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

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