MallowbyNames

Kijana

kee-JAH-nah · The name Kijana means 'young' or 'youth' in Swahili.

Peak popularity
1995
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Kijana since 1970

Babies named Kijana per year in U.S. Social Security records.

336598198020002020Most births 1995GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1970s1439
1980s50
1990s100197
2000s1828
2010s00
2020s00

Meaning & origin

Kijana is a Swahili word name meaning 'young' or 'youth,' first recorded as a given name in the United States in 1972. The name saw its peak usage in 1995, but it has never ranked nationally and remains a rare choice. Kijana's trajectory has been stable over the decades, with occasional small spikes. The name reflects a broader trend of parents embracing African language names for their positive meanings and cultural significance. Due to its rarity, Kijana offers a distinctive, nature-inspired option that stands out without feeling unfamiliar.

Kijana is a Swahili word meaning 'young person' or 'youth.' It entered use as a given name in the United States around the 1970s, often chosen by parents seeking a name with African roots and a positive, energetic meaning. The name remains rare in U.S. birth records, with most occurrences concentrated in the 1990s.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Kiki, Jana, KJ

Sibling names for Kijana

Names that share Kijana's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Zuri, Amina, Safiya, Nala, Kaya

Brothers: Kwame, Jabari, Simba, Zaire, Omari

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Kijana, our favorite little person.

K is for Kijana…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Kijana's letter becomes Kijana's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Kijana's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Kijana mean?
Kijana means 'young' or 'youth' in Swahili.
Is Kijana a popular name?
Kijana is very rare. It has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. Its peak usage was in 1995, but it remains uncommon.
Is Kijana a boy's or girl's name?
Kijana is used for both boys and girls, making it a unisex name.