Kenyatta
Kenyatta is a boy's name of African origin.
Meaning
Musician, or wearer of the beaded belt (associated with the Kikuyu phrase for the decorated belt worn by Jomo Kenyatta).
Origin and history
Kenyatta is a name of East African origin, historically associated with Kenya and its first president, Jomo Kenyatta. In the United States, it gained popularity as a given name during the late 20th century, particularly within African American communities celebrating cultural heritage. Today it remains a distinctive and recognizable choice, though relatively rare in recent birth statistics.
Popularity in the United States
3,216 babies in the United States have been named Kenyatta since 1880. It ranks #2268 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1875.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14.6 %)
- IL (13.9 %)
- MI (10.9 %)
- PA (9.5 %)
- CA (9.3 %)
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 | 147 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,430 |
| 1980-1990 | 435 |
| 1990-2000 | 581 |
| 2000-2010 | 392 |
| 2010-2019 | 179 |
| 2020-2029 | 52 |
Famous people named Kenyatta
- Kenyatta Jones: Football Player
Nicknames
Ken, Kenny
Fun facts
- The name became internationally prominent through Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father and first president of Kenya.
- Kenyatta saw a surge in usage in the United States during the 1970s amidst the broader cultural resurgence of African name choices.