The real meaning behind popular Kikuyu names

Monday, August 28, 2017 at 2:35 PM by Muyela Roberto 3 min read

- The Agikuyu community interestingly named their children in regard to events of the day, weather, behaviour and related experiences

- As such names that we have come to accept today come from a past of notable events, weather, time and the interaction of Kikuyu and the Maasai

The Kikuyu are the largest ethnic group in Kenya.

With a high population comes different names TUKO.co.ke deciphered the meaning behind the most popular Kikuyu names

Nyokabi- given to kids if in their lineage, the Kikuyu intermarried with the Maasai, it's derived from Ukabi which basically meant the Maasai.

The real meaning behind popular Kikuyu names — Kikuyu ladies dressed in traditional Kikuyu attire dancing. Photo: Courtesy

READ ALSO: Musician Jua Kali's wife reveals why they have never had a church wedding and you'll laugh at it

Gĩchohi – The big beer. This was probably first given to a person who made a lot of beer or drank a lot of it.

Gĩtaũ - There was a Gĩtaũ age group initiated in 1847 and gave rise to the name.

Kahara – A bold head is called a 'Kĩhara.' It may have started as a nickname. The prefix 'Ka' is diminutive. The grandchild was then called by this namesake’s nickname with approval from the old man.

Muriuki- If a parent lost a child, they would name the next male one 'Muriuki' to mean he who has risen from the dead.

READ ALSO: Citizen TV's Willis Raburu reveals a secret about his wife that we never knew

Muthoni- drawn from the Kikuyu name for in-laws 'Athoni' Muthoni would normally be given to children named from the maternal side.

Karanja - This name was first given to an age set that had been afflicted by a strange disease. The sufferers spent inordinately long periods out in the sun, warming themselves. Kwara means to lay out, nja means outside. The Karanja riika was initiated in 1852.

READ ALSO: Baby almost here: KSh 100 couple holds baby shower

Karĩmi - Kurima is to dig (or to farm). Karĩmi is the small farmer.

Kĩbakĩ – The big tobacco leaf.

Mũciri - The one who participates in a judicial hearing.

Mwanĩki - Beekeeper, one who hangs bee barrels on trees.

Mwangi - This is another generation derived from “kwanga," which Dr. Muriuki states means “rapid expansion”.

READ ALSO: You will tear up after reading what Jaguar wrote about his late mother

Mũmbi - The potter and mother of the Kikuyu nation.

Ng’endo - The one who is always on the move, travelling. Wander-luster.

Njeri - The one who is always on the move, travelling.

Nyambura - Daughter of the rain.

Waceke - The slim one.

Wairimũ - Daughter of the ogre which was derived from the Kikuyu folklore.

Wamaitha – Variant for Nyokabi – meaning the girl from Maasai country.

Wambũi - Of the Zebra, The Kikuyu refer to the Zebra as Wambui Micoore.

Wanjĩra – Of the road. In other communities, a child born by the roadside maybe associated with a road.

Wawĩra - The one that works.

Have anything to add to this article or suggestions? Share with us on news@tuko.co.ke

Would you marry Nyambura?

Subscribe to watch new videos

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:

Muyela Roberto (HOD Business) Muyela Roberto is a journalist with over 9 years of experience. He graduated from Maseno University with a BA in Communication & Media with IT in 2017. At TUKO, he's the head of the business desk. He previously served as lead copy editor. Before copy editing, he was a business and current affairs editor. He's undergone training from Google News Initiative and WAN-IFRA. Before TUKO, he worked as People Daily correspondent in Kisumu, Scholar Media correspondent and content contributor at Kenya News Agency. Email: roberto.muyela@tuko.co.ke