Kenya Unisex
Origin(s)
Swahili; African
Meaning
Swahili: 'Kenya' refers to the mountain; African: 'the land of the people'
Historical & Cultural Background
Kenya is derived from Mount Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya and a significant symbol in the country. The name has been used in various contexts, often reflecting a connection to the land and its people. It gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Trend Summary
Kenya has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable increase in usage since the late 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Kenyah
- Kenia
International Variants
- Kénia (Spanish)
- Kénya (Hungarian)
Famous people named Kenya
Kenya Moore is an American actress and model known for her role on 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'.
Kenya Barris is an American television writer and producer, best known for creating the sitcom 'Black-ish'.
Fictional characters named Kenya
Kenya is a character in the animated series 'The Lion Guard', known for her adventurous spirit.
Kenya is a character in the video game 'Fire Emblem: Three Houses', representing a noble lineage.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kenya was first seen in the United States in 1952. Kenya has ranked as high as #475 nationally which occurred in 1973 and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Kenya has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Kenya (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 17 | |
| CA | 16 | |
| FL | 11 | |
| GA | 8 | |
| NY | 6 | |
| VA | 5 | |
| SC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1954 | 11 |
| 1955 | 14 |
| 1956 | 8 |
| 1957 | 13 |
| 1958 | 19 |
| 1959 | 19 |
| 1960 | 19 |
| 1961 | 18 |
| 1962 | 29 |
| 1963 | 32 |
| 1964 | 57 |
| 1965 | 49 |
| 1966 | 66 |
| 1967 | 77 |
| 1968 | 125 |
| 1969 | 219 |
| 1970 | 335 |
| 1971 | 398 |
| 1972 | 556 |
| 1973 | 894 |
| 1974 | 812 |
| 1975 | 863 |
| 1976 | 713 |
| 1977 | 712 |
| 1978 | 589 |
| 1979 | 630 |
| 1980 | 520 |
| 1981 | 416 |
| 1982 | 411 |
| 1983 | 389 |
| 1984 | 314 |
| 1985 | 290 |
| 1986 | 239 |
| 1987 | 249 |
| 1988 | 263 |
| 1989 | 349 |
| 1990 | 366 |
| 1991 | 366 |
| 1992 | 473 |
| 1993 | 682 |
| 1994 | 681 |
| 1995 | 673 |
| 1996 | 600 |
| 1997 | 452 |
| 1998 | 471 |
| 1999 | 456 |
| 2000 | 524 |
| 2001 | 466 |
| 2002 | 493 |
| 2003 | 475 |
| 2004 | 432 |
| 2005 | 466 |
| 2006 | 578 |
| 2007 | 587 |
| 2008 | 570 |
| 2009 | 478 |
| 2010 | 395 |
| 2011 | 337 |
| 2012 | 569 |
| 2013 | 469 |
| 2014 | 403 |
| 2015 | 309 |
| 2016 | 326 |
| 2017 | 275 |
| 2018 | 242 |
| 2019 | 228 |
| 2020 | 190 |
| 2021 | 162 |
| 2022 | 166 |
| 2023 | 135 |
| 2024 | 123 |