Makena Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-KAY-nah /məˈkeɪnə/
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: abundance; happiness
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Makena has its roots in the Kikuyu language of Kenya, where it means "the happy one" or "the one who brings happiness." The Kikuyu people, who are the largest ethnic group in Kenya, have a rich cultural heritage, and names often carry significant meanings related to personal attributes or circumstances surrounding a child's birth. The name Makena reflects this tradition, emphasizing joy and positivity in its connotation.
Historically, the name Makena has been associated with various cultural narratives and practices within the Kikuyu community. The Kikuyu people have a long-standing oral tradition, and names like Makena are often featured in stories and proverbs that highlight virtues such as happiness and contentment.
The use of the name can be traced back to the early 20th century, when the Kikuyu began to engage more with colonial and missionary influences, leading to a greater awareness and documentation of their cultural practices, including naming conventions. Culturally, the name Makena resonates with themes of joy and celebration, making it a favored choice for families wishing to convey positive attributes.
In addition to its primary form, variations and diminutives may exist within Kikuyu culture, reflecting familial affection or local dialects. The enduring appeal of the name can be attributed to its uplifting meaning and the cultural significance placed on happiness within the Kikuyu community, ensuring that it remains a cherished name across generations.
Famous people named Makena
In this section, you will find notable people named Makena. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Makena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Makena who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan is a model and actress best known for her work in various fashion campaigns and television appearances.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Makena, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Makena. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Makena was first seen in the United States in 1984.
Makena has ranked as high as #1298 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, Washington, Texas, Ohio, and Arizona.
In the past 5 years the name Makena has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Makena is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Makena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Makena.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 63 | 0 | 63 |
| 2024 | 97 | 0 | 97 |
| 2023 | 115 | 0 | 115 |
| 2022 | 108 | 0 | 108 |
| 2021 | 115 | 0 | 115 |
| 2020 | 119 | 0 | 119 |
| 2019 | 150 | 0 | 150 |
| 2018 | 178 | 0 | 178 |
| 2017 | 207 | 0 | 207 |
| 2016 | 224 | 0 | 224 |
| 2015 | 226 | 0 | 226 |
| 2014 | 201 | 0 | 201 |
| 2013 | 252 | 0 | 252 |
| 2012 | 255 | 0 | 255 |
| 2011 | 236 | 0 | 236 |
| 2010 | 299 | 5 | 294 |
| 2009 | 281 | 0 | 281 |
| 2008 | 328 | 5 | 323 |
| 2007 | 303 | 0 | 303 |
| 2006 | 350 | 9 | 341 |
| 2005 | 381 | 0 | 381 |
| 2004 | 303 | 6 | 297 |
| 2003 | 305 | 7 | 298 |
| 2002 | 314 | 8 | 306 |
| 2001 | 197 | 0 | 197 |
| 2000 | 201 | 0 | 201 |
| 1999 | 170 | 5 | 165 |
| 1998 | 140 | 0 | 140 |
| 1997 | 130 | 7 | 123 |
| 1996 | 91 | 6 | 85 |
| 1995 | 83 | 15 | 68 |
| 1994 | 66 | 6 | 60 |
| 1993 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 1992 | 47 | 5 | 42 |
| 1991 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1990 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1989 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1988 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1987 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1986 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1985 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1984 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Top States for Makena (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 18 | |
| WA | 8 | |
| TX | 5 |