Declining since 2016, #1,250 for girls today.
Popularity of Kenia since 1961
Babies named Kenia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 51 |
| 1970s | 209 |
| 1980s | 520 |
| 1990s | 1,978 |
| 2000s | 2,682 |
| 2010s | 3,267 |
| 2020s | 1,509 |
Meaning & origin
Kenia, first recorded in the U.S. in 1961, saw its peak popularity in 2016 when it ranked highest among girls' names. Since then, its use has been declining, with a trajectory showing decreasing numbers since 2016. In 2025, the name ranked 1250th, with approximately 1 in 8,979 newborn girls receiving it. Geographically, Kenia has been most prevalent in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Arizona, indicating a regional presence in the South and Southwest. The name's association with the African nation gives it a distinctive geographical flavor, placing it alongside other place-inspired names like Savannah and Paris. While its exact meaning remains uncertain, the connection to Kenya is clear and gives the name a modern, worldly appeal.
Kenia is a given name that emerged in the United States in the 1960s, coinciding with the independence of Kenya in 1963. The name is almost certainly derived from the country's name, which itself is of uncertain origin, possibly from the Kikuyu word 'kere nyaga' meaning 'white mountain' (referring to Mount Kenya). As a first name, Kenia follows a pattern of place-name usage and has been used for girls in the U.S. since at least 1961.
Where Kenia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ken, Keni
Variants: Kenya
Sibling names for Kenia
Names that share Kenia's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kenia
Names whose popularity has moved with Kenia's over the last 50 years.
