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Nairobi

♀ Girl

Pronounced ny-ROH-bee /naɪˈɹoʊ.bi/Medium

Meaning: Place name used as a given name, from Maasai 'Enkare Nyrobi' meaning 'cool/cold water'.Medium

In 30 seconds: Nairobi is a place name used as a given name, from the Maasai 'Enkare Nyrobi' meaning 'cool water'.
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Origin MediumMaasai, African American
MeaningPlace name used as a given name, from Maasai 'Enkare Nyrobi' meaning 'cool/cold water'.
U.S. rank (2024)#1535 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births139 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,455

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119832024

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

History & Origin

Nairobi comes from the Maasai phrase 'Enkare Nyrobi', meaning 'cool' or 'cold water', and is best known as Kenya's capital city. As a given name it borrows that place and its watery meaning rather than an older personal name. This makes it part of the modern trend of using meaningful place names for children.

The four flowing syllables give it a rhythmic, distinctive sound. Its tie to a specific East African city and Maasai phrase gives it a clear sense of place that most coined names lack.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Nairobi is 'cold water', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Nairobi — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Nairobi…

Kenya— another East African place name used for girls
Sahara— a geographic name with a similar exotic, place-based feel
Savannah— shares the flowing sound and a landscape connection
Amara— an African-associated name with a comparable open-vowel sound
Zuri— an East African name fitting the same naming spirit

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nairobi mean?

Nairobi is usually explained as meaning 'cold water' and is most often linked with African American tradition.

How do you pronounce Nairobi?

It's commonly said ny-ROH-bee /naɪˈɹoʊ.bi/.

Is Nairobi a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Nairobi?

In 2024, Nairobi ranked #1535 in the U.S. for girls, with 139 births recorded.