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

Wanjohi, 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 Wanjohi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wanjohi in America

Wanjohi is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wanjohi surname appeared 128 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 Wanjohi.

The history of the last name Wanjohi

The surname Wanjohi has its origins in Kenya, a country located in East Africa. It is believed to have emerged during the 16th or 17th century, primarily in the central region of the country. The name is derived from the Kikuyu language, one of the most widely spoken indigenous languages in Kenya.

The Wanjohi surname is thought to be a combination of two words: "wa" meaning "of" or "from," and "njohi," which is a variation of the word "njohí" meaning "light" or "brightness." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to individuals or families associated with a place or region known for its bright or well-lit characteristics.

Historical records from the 18th and 19th centuries indicate the presence of individuals bearing the Wanjohi surname in various parts of central Kenya. However, no specific mention of the name has been found in major historical manuscripts or documents from earlier periods.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Wanjohi surname was Njeri Wanjohi, a prominent leader and landowner in the Kiambu region during the late 19th century. Another notable figure was Wangui Wanjohi (1879-1952), a respected elder and advisor in the Murang'a district, known for her wisdom and influence in local affairs.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the Wanjohi surname achieved recognition in various fields. These include Jomo Wanjohi (1920-1988), a renowned Kenyan artist and sculptor whose works are celebrated for their unique blend of traditional and modern styles. Wambui Wanjohi (1935-2019) was a pioneering Kenyan academic and educator, renowned for her contributions to the field of early childhood education.

Another notable figure was John Wanjohi Kamau (1949-2015), a celebrated Kenyan author and playwright whose works explored themes of social justice, inequality, and cultural identity. Additionally, Joseph Wanjohi (1960-present) is a respected Kenyan environmentalist and activist, recognized for his efforts in promoting sustainable development and conservation initiatives.

While the Wanjohi surname originated in Kenya, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical roots and significance remain deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Kenya's central region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wanjohi

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!