Kenyatta
Kenyatta is a girl's name of African origin.
Meaning
Jewel or musician's leather strip.
Origin and history
Kenyatta is a name of East African origin, derived from the Swahili word meaning 'jewel' or 'musician's strip of leather'. It gained prominent global usage following Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of independent Kenya. In the United States, it emerged as a given name in the late 20th century, used for both girls and boys.
Popularity in the United States
4,255 babies in the United States have been named Kenyatta since 1880. It ranks #2695 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2084.
States where it is most popular
- IL (18.8 %)
- GA (12.4 %)
- MI (9.8 %)
- LA (8.2 %)
- FL (7.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 100 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,416 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,250 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,051 |
| 2000-2010 | 343 |
| 2010-2019 | 78 |
| 2020-2029 | 17 |
Fun facts
- The name gained international prominence through Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father and first president of Kenya.
- In Swahili, the name is associated with an ornamental leather band worn around the waist or wrist.