Rising since 2011, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Kamau since 1971
Babies named Kamau per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 205 |
| 1980s | 118 |
| 1990s | 246 |
| 2000s | 180 |
| 2010s | 112 |
| 2020s | 70 |
Meaning & origin
Kamau is a masculine name of Kikuyu origin, meaning "quiet warrior." It first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1971 and reached its peak popularity in 1995. After a period of less frequent use, Kamau has been rising in popularity since 2011. As of 2025, it ranks 7,679 with a frequency of 1 in 170,808 births. The name reflects cultural attributes of stealth and composure in battle, and it remains closely tied to Kenyan heritage.
Kamau is a name from the Kikuyu people of Kenya. It is a masculine name derived from the Kikuyu word "kama," meaning "quiet," combined with "-au" to denote a person, thus translating to "quiet warrior" or "one who is quiet in battle." The name reflects a cultural value of stealth and calmness in conflict.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kam
Sibling names for Kamau
Names that share Kamau's style, for a brother or sister.
