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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kenyatta

Kenyatta

♂ Boy

Pronounced ken-YAH-tah /kɛnˈjɑ.tɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Kikuyu (Kenya) — variously 'a musician' and 'of the ornate/beaded belt' (the name adopted by Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya); used for both sexes; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A musician; of the beaded belt: Kenyatta is Kikuyu. Lyrical, modern, and warm (said 'ken-YAH-tah'). Used for both sexes.
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Origin LowAfrican, Kikuyu
MeaningFrom the Kikuyu (Kenya) — variously 'a musician' and 'of the ornate/beaded belt' (the name adopted by Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya); used for both sexes; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#8648 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1975
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,216

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197519612024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kenyatta comes from the Kikuyu (Kenya) — variously 'a musician' and 'of the ornate/beaded belt' (the name adopted by Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya; routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for a boy (said 'ken-YAH-tah').

In the U.S. it appears in African-American families. Rare, a-musician at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Kenyatta is Kikuyu, variously 'a musician' and 'of the ornate/beaded belt' — the name adopted by Jomo Kenyatta, first president of Kenya — a lyrical name, used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'ken-YAH-tah').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Kenyatta — routes layered

Variations

KenyataKenyatte

Nicknames

Ken

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kenyatta…

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Kwame— a sound-neighbor African boys' name
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Kiano— lands in the same popularity range

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kenyatta mean?

Kenyatta is Kikuyu, variously 'a musician' and 'of the ornate/beaded belt'; used for both sexes. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Kenyatta?

It's said ken-YAH-tah /kɛnˈjɑ.tɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Kenyatta a boy or girl name?

Kenyatta is used for both sexes; here it is a boy's name.

How popular is Kenyatta?

Kenyatta is a very rare name in the U.S.

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