Kenya
Every Kenya since 1952 — 27,553 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kenya
Kenya is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,499 in 2025 with 71 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1952, 27,553 American babies have been named Kenya — about 92% girls and 8% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1973, when 1,039 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kenya stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kenya year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 71 | #2,499 | — | — |
| 2024 | 124 | #1,660 | 8 | #9,450 |
| 2023 | 135 | #1,572 | — | — |
| 2022 | 166 | #1,383 | — | — |
| 2021 | 162 | #1,366 | — | — |
| 2020 | 190 | #1,208 | — | — |
| 2019 | 228 | #1,092 | 7 | #10,319 |
| 2018 | 242 | #1,060 | 9 | #8,519 |
| 2017 | 275 | #964 | 12 | #6,916 |
| 2016 | 326 | #863 | 7 | #10,243 |
| 2015 | 309 | #894 | 7 | #10,136 |
| 2014 | 403 | #702 | 6 | #11,472 |
| 2013 | 469 | #602 | 10 | #7,843 |
| 2012 | 569 | #534 | 15 | #5,862 |
| 2011 | 337 | #803 | 10 | #7,811 |
| 2010 | 395 | #716 | 14 | #6,222 |
| 2009 | 478 | #631 | 11 | #7,484 |
| 2008 | 570 | #541 | 14 | #6,268 |
| 2007 | 587 | #534 | 13 | #6,460 |
| 2006 | 578 | #523 | 20 | #4,607 |
| 2005 | 466 | #610 | 23 | #3,995 |
| 2004 | 432 | #632 | 27 | #3,503 |
| 2003 | 475 | #582 | 15 | #5,165 |
| 2002 | 493 | #553 | 33 | #2,854 |
| 2001 | 466 | #559 | 31 | #2,966 |
| 2000 | 524 | #508 | 28 | #3,119 |
| 1995 | 673 | #394 | 24 | #2,981 |
| 1990 | 366 | #616 | 34 | #2,144 |
| 1985 | 290 | #641 | 19 | #2,650 |
| 1980 | 520 | #421 | 59 | #1,194 |
| 1975 | 864 | #281 | 130 | #727 |
| 1970 | 335 | #554 | 67 | #997 |
| 1965 | 49 | #1,606 | 6 | #3,729 |
| 1960 | 19 | #2,859 | — | — |
| 1955 | 14 | #3,159 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Kenya
- Kenya Moore Actor · b. 1971
- Kenya Matsui Soccer player · b. 1985
- Kenya Okazaki Soccer player · b. 1990
- Kenya Maeshiro Soccer player · b. 1995
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kenya in 2025?
Kenya ranked #2,499 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 71 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kenya?
27,553 babies have been named Kenya in the United States since 1952, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kenya most popular?
Kenya peaked in 1973, when 1,039 newborns received the name.
Is Kenya a boy or girl name?
Kenya is used for both: about 92% of babies named Kenya have been girls and 8% boys.
Is the name Kenya rising or falling?
Kenya is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kenya?
Well-known people named Kenya include Kenya Moore (actor), Kenya Matsui (soccer player), Kenya Okazaki (soccer player).