Home › Baby Names Directory › Makena

Makena

♀ Girl

Pronounced mak-EHN-a /mæk.ˈɛn.æ/Medium

Meaning: Happy oneMedium

In 30 seconds: Makena is a Kikuyu girl's name meaning 'happy one'.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumKikuyu
MeaningHappy one
U.S. rank (2024)#2046 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births95 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,503

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519842024

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

History & Origin

Makena comes from the Kikuyu of Kenya and means 'happy one'. It carries a cheerful, grounded sense rooted in East African naming, and that idea of happiness is the whole heart of the name.

The flowing three-syllable sound has helped it travel well beyond its origin. It is borne by American musician Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, a guitarist and vocalist and the daughter of actress Helen Hunt.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Makena is 'happy one', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name - Makena — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

—

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan (2004–present)
    American musician (guitarist and vocalist for the band Widemouth); daughter of actress Helen Hunt.

If you like Makena…

Kimani— lands in the same popularity range
Montana— a similarly popular pick
Martina— a similarly popular pick
Mileena— echoes that soft -na sound
Malina— shares the -na ending

Browse the whole category: All Kikuyu names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Makena mean?

Makena is usually explained as meaning 'happy one' and is most often linked with Kikuyu tradition.

How do you pronounce Makena?

It's commonly said mak-EHN-a /mæk.ˈɛn.æ/.

Is Makena a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Makena is used as a girl name.

How popular is Makena?

In 2024, Makena ranked #2046 in the U.S. for girls, with 95 births recorded.