Holding steady.
Popularity of Makeba since 1962
Babies named Makeba per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 99 |
| 1970s | 396 |
| 1980s | 120 |
| 1990s | 77 |
| 2000s | 10 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Makeba is a rare African name that first entered U.S. birth records in 1962, likely influenced by the rise of Miriam Makeba's international fame. It reached its highest usage point in 1972, the same year her album 'Makeba!' was released, though it never broke into the top 1,000. Since then, its popularity has remained extremely low and stable, with fewer than 5 annual births in recent years. The name is primarily associated with the Xhosa and Zulu cultures and carries a strong musical and civil rights legacy. Despite its low rank, Makeba maintains cultural significance as a tribute to the iconic singer and a symbol of African heritage.
Makeba is a name derived from the Xhosa and Zulu languages of Southern Africa. It is often interpreted as 'lady' or 'one who makes music,' though the latter is a modern reinterpretation inspired by the surname of the renowned singer Miriam Makeba, known as 'Mama Africa.' The name gained visibility among African American communities in the 1960s and 1970s during the civil rights and Black pride movements, but it remains rare outside that context.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Maki, Keba
Sibling names for Makeba
Names that share Makeba's style, for a brother or sister.
