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

Wanjiru, 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 Wanjiru surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wanjiru in America

Wanjiru is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wanjiru surname appeared 134 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 Wanjiru.

The history of the last name Wanjiru

The surname Wanjiru originates from the Kikuyu people, an ethnic group native to the central highlands of Kenya. The name can be traced back to the late 19th century and is derived from the Kikuyu word "njiru," which means "path" or "way."

In traditional Kikuyu culture, names often held significant meanings and were chosen to reflect important events, characteristics, or hopes for the child. The name Wanjiru may have been given to children born during a time of migration or journey, symbolizing the path they were embarking on in life.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wanjiru can be found in the writings of British colonial administrators and missionaries who documented Kikuyu culture and language in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These records provide valuable insights into the historical context and traditional practices surrounding Kikuyu naming conventions.

Among the notable figures who bore the surname Wanjiru is Catherine Ndereba (born 1972), a renowned Kenyan long-distance runner and two-time Olympic medalist. She won the silver medal in the marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, cementing her place as one of Kenya's most successful athletes.

Another prominent individual with the surname Wanjiru is Sammy Wanjiru (1986-2011), a Kenyan long-distance runner who won the Olympic gold medal in the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was also the first Kenyan to win the prestigious Boston Marathon in 2008 and was considered one of the most talented marathoners of his generation before his untimely death at the age of 24.

In the realm of literature, Ngugi wa Thiong'o (born 1938), a renowned Kenyan writer and academic, has a character named Wanjiru in his acclaimed novel "Petals of Blood." The character symbolizes the struggles and resilience of Kenyan women, reflecting the author's commitment to exploring social and political issues through his literary works.

Wanjiru Kihoro (born 1964) is a Kenyan lawyer and human rights advocate who has played a significant role in promoting gender equality and women's rights in Kenya. She has served as the chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and has been recognized for her efforts in addressing gender-based violence and advocating for legal reforms.

While the surname Wanjiru has its roots in the Kikuyu community, it has since spread across Kenya and beyond, carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, from sports and literature to law and human rights advocacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wanjiru

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

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

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

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