Makena
Makena is a girl's name of African origin.
Meaning
Happy one or joyful.
Origin and history
Makena is a name of East African origin, primarily from the Kikuyu language of Kenya. It gained popularity in the United States starting in the late 20th century, partly inspired by Hawaiian place names such as Makena Beach on Maui. Today, it remains a moderate choice for girls in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
6,568 babies in the United States have been named Makena since 1880. It ranks #2085 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1487.
States where it is most popular
- CA (33.4 %)
- WA (7.4 %)
- TX (7.1 %)
- OH (4 %)
- AZ (4 %)
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 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 53 |
| 1990-2000 | 747 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,928 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,223 |
| 2020-2029 | 617 |
Nicknames
Kenna, Kena, Kiki
Fun facts
- In the Kikuyu language spoken in Kenya, Makena translates directly to 'the happy one'.
- Makena is also the name of a famous coastal area and state park on the island of Maui, Hawaii.