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Kimani
Pronounced kee-MAH-nee /kiΛmΙ.ni/High
Meaning: A Kikuyu (Kenyan) name, traditionally masculine, adopted in the U.S. mainly for girls; popular glosses include 'beautiful and sweet' but the traditional meaning is not well documented in English sourcesLow
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Kimani is a Kikuyu name from Kenya, where it is traditionally masculine and passed down through the Kikuyu system of naming children after grandparents. English-language baby-name sites attach glosses like 'beautiful and sweet', but the traditional etymology is not well documented in accessible sources β we flag rather than invent. In the U.S., the name was adopted from the 1970s onward, mostly for daughters, amid the broader embrace of African names.
The -i ending and three open syllables made it sit naturally beside Imani and Amani in American ears. It remains rare nationally, used chiefly in Black American families.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Kimani Maruge (1920-2009)Kenyan man recognized as the oldest person to start primary school
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Kimani mean?
Kimani is a Kikuyu name from Kenya; popular glosses like 'beautiful and sweet' circulate, but the traditional meaning is not well documented in English sources.
How do you pronounce Kimani?
It's said kee-MAH-nee /kiΛmΙ.ni/ β three syllables, stress on the second.
Is Kimani a boy or girl name?
In Kenya Kimani is traditionally a boy's name; in the U.S. it is used mainly for girls.
How popular is Kimani?
Kimani is a rare name in the U.S.