Kenyatta: name meaning, origin & popularity
- Meaning
- “uncertain”
- Origin
- Unknown
- Say it
- ken-YAH-tuh · 3 syllables
- Used for
- Both (57% girls, 43% boys since 1880)
Best known from the surname of Jomo Kenyatta, derived from a beaded belt he wore; as a given name its exact etymology is uncertain. Use as a first name is modern and influenced by that surname. The origin of this name is not settled among etymologists.
How popular is Kenyatta?
Babies named Kenyatta in 202415
Peak year1975
Total US babies since 18807,471
Kenyatta is fading: recent use is about 48% of its level ten years before.
Names like Kenyatta
Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.
Kenyatta questions
What does the name Kenyatta mean?
Kenyatta means "uncertain". It comes from Unknown. Best known from the surname of Jomo Kenyatta, derived from a beaded belt he wore; as a given name its exact etymology is uncertain. Use as a first name is modern and influenced by that surname.
Is Kenyatta a boy or girl name?
Kenyatta is used for both: about 57% of US babies named Kenyatta since 1880 were girls.
How popular is Kenyatta?
15 US babies were named Kenyatta in 2024. Its peak year was 1975.
How do you pronounce Kenyatta?
Kenyatta is usually pronounced ken-YAH-tuh.
Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.