Kenyan Surnames Kenyan Surnames

  1. Surnames of the world
  2. Kenya

In Kenya, a country located in East Africa, ethnic and cultural diversity is reflected in the most common surnames carried by its inhabitants. Kenyans, as their citizens are known, have a wide range of surnames that reflect their different origins and traditions. From surnames that refer to indigenous tribes to those of foreign origin, the list of surnames in Kenya is varied and represents the rich history and heritage of this African country. Below are some of the most common surnames among Kenyans.

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  1. Mwangi (633977)
  2. Maina (450347)
  3. Otieno (425223)
  4. Kamau (373371)
  5. Odhiambo (351165)
  6. Njoroge (291168)
  7. Kariuki (282442)
  8. Ochieng (267224)
  9. Omondi (262542)
  10. Kimani (237336)
  11. Onyango (229242)
  12. Wambui (223175)
  13. Atieno (223143)
  14. Wanjiku (217242)
  15. Njeri (212140)
  16. Akinyi (196693)
  17. Njuguna (194126)
  18. Macharia (187213)
  19. Wafula (186183)
  20. Achieng (184543)
  21. Muthoni (180418)
  22. Ouma (179723)
  23. Juma (179203)
  24. Karanja (170393)
  25. Mohamed (162467)
  26. Mutua (149385)
  27. Adhiambo (145622)
  28. Cheruiyot (143087)
  29. Kibet (139911)
  30. Simiyu (137516)
  31. Chege (135066)
  32. Mbugua (130598)
  33. Waweru (129080)
  34. Wanjala (128037)
  35. Ngugi (125413)
  36. Barasa (124948)
  37. Ndungu (123979)
  38. Wambua (123243)
  39. Wairimu (119924)
  40. Chebet (119331)
  41. Mburu (119216)
  42. Koech (118907)
  43. Mwaura (116096)
  44. Nyambura (115856)
  45. Rotich (113639)
  46. Anyango (112185)
  47. Ali (109225)
  48. Mungai (108340)
  49. Wangui (108021)
  50. Wekesa (107571)
  51. Okoth (106593)
  52. Langat (105620)
  53. Chepkemoi (105284)
  54. Mutuku (104688)
  55. Abdi (99108)
  56. Hassan (98813)
  57. Owino (98774)
  58. Wangari (97627)
  59. Njoki (97558)
  60. Awuor (96435)
  61. Njenga (95271)
  62. Musyoka (95060)
  63. Nyongesa (94747)
  64. Cherotich (94101)
  65. Wanyonyi (93738)
  66. Chepkoech (93226)
  67. Korir (92624)
  68. Chelangat (91903)
  69. Kiptoo (91734)
  70. Mwendwa (89760)
  71. Kinyua (87525)
  72. Kinyanjui (86377)
  73. Kiprotich (86286)
  74. Kipkoech (84973)
  75. Oduor (83470)
  76. Akoth (81526)
  77. Kirui (81350)
  78. Mwende (81107)
  79. Kioko (80994)
  80. Gitonga (80981)
  81. Kuria (79885)
  82. Auma (78833)
  83. Muriithi (77143)
  84. Gitau (77120)
  85. Munene (76782)
  86. Nganga (75627)
  87. Wachira (75169)
  88. Irungu (74541)
  89. Njeru (73665)
  90. Kemboi (73012)
  91. Mutai (72829)
  92. Cherono (71825)
  93. Kimutai (71460)
  94. Nyaga (70171)
  95. Mutinda (70015)
  96. Ndung'u (69993)
  97. Chepkorir (69975)
  98. Ahmed (69388)
  99. Ng'ang'a (69050)
  100. Chepkirui (68470)
  101. Muli (68250)
  102. Kiprono (68150)
  103. Muriuki (65566)
  104. Mwenda (64758)
  105. Hussein (64582)
  106. Shah (63402)
  107. Kiprop (62974)
  108. Kiplagat (62328)
  109. Kipkorir (62126)
  110. Awino (61227)
  111. Mwaniki (61086)
  112. Murithi (60217)
  113. Mugo (57992)
  114. Kosgei (57956)
  115. Makokha (57234)
  116. Kyalo (57206)
  117. Karisa (56878)
  118. Ngetich (56211)
  119. Okumu (55884)
  120. Rono (55224)
  121. Chepngetich (54917)
  122. Maalim (54858)
  123. John (54802)
  124. Issack (54539)
  125. Kazungu (53957)
  126. Peter (53706)
  127. Kimathi (52873)
  128. Kiplangat (52431)
  129. Bett (51893)
  130. Wamalwa (51882)
  131. Momanyi (51827)
  132. Musyoki (51456)
  133. Mutisya (50707)
  134. Cheptoo (50598)
  135. Kipngetich (50529)
  136. Wainaina (50204)
  137. Ibrahim (50081)
  138. Chemutai (49920)
  139. Muchiri (49540)
  140. Nyakundi (49037)
  141. Wanyama (48534)
  142. Mugambi (47759)
  143. Kipchumba (47241)
  144. Nekesa (47218)
  145. Wanja (47113)
  146. Karimi (47003)
  147. Omar (46750)
  148. Were (46666)
  149. Moraa (46421)
  150. Odongo (46331)
  151. Abdullahi (46160)
  152. Opiyo (46052)
  153. Kahindi (45559)
  154. Muiruri (45073)
  155. Chepngeno (44961)
  156. Mutunga (44645)
  157. Mueni (44394)
  158. Njagi (43980)
  159. Ndegwa (43635)
  160. Nyabuto (43247)
  161. Wanjohi (43147)
  162. Kipruto (42995)
  163. Chepkwony (42746)
  164. Okello (42324)
  165. Oluoch (42068)
  166. Patel (42029)
  167. Ndirangu (41441)
  168. Munyao (41400)
  169. Murimi (41400)
  170. Mumo (41239)
  171. Kipchirchir (41034)
  172. Mwikali (40818)
  173. Njogu (40508)
  174. Makena (40217)
  175. Owuor (40148)
  176. Ngeno (40003)
  177. Mukami (39983)
  178. Kerubo (39738)
  179. David (39458)
  180. Githinji (39295)
  181. Kipkirui (39063)
  182. Makau (38832)
  183. Kendi (38629)
  184. Mwanzia (38247)
  185. Ondieki (37623)
  186. Mutheu (36881)
  187. Mulwa (36860)
  188. Muema (36840)
  189. Kilonzo (36646)
  190. Cherop (36496)
  191. Karani (36296)
  192. Muturi (36034)
  193. Kiarie (35949)
  194. Musembi (35868)
  195. Odero (35706)
  196. Waithira (35668)
  197. Mutiso (35452)
  198. Kipkemoi (35366)
  199. Muia (35158)
  200. Mwita (35097)
  201. Waithera (35016)
  202. Kirimi (35011)
  203. Gatwiri (35005)
  204. Wambugu (34981)
  205. Mumbi (34904)
  206. Ruto (34664)
  207. Makori (34524)
  208. Sang (34315)
  209. Nanjala (34164)
  210. Maingi (34084)
  211. Mwangangi (33906)
  212. Muhumed (33830)
  213. Joseph (33809)
  214. Nduta (33753)
  215. Njiru (33174)
  216. Wanjiru (33117)
  217. Tanui (32692)
  218. Nasimiyu (32617)
  219. Lagat (32603)
  220. Mwiti (32530)
  221. Kinuthia (32501)
  222. Adan (32375)
  223. Kawira (32342)
  224. Ogutu (32289)
  225. Rutto (31647)
  226. Guyo (31643)
  227. Oloo (31642)
  228. Musau (31637)
  229. Chirchir (31559)
  230. Kihara (31490)
  231. Yegon (31407)
  232. Nduku (31384)
  233. Kwamboka (31148)
  234. Kinya (31083)
  235. Paul (31026)
  236. Mohammed (30141)
  237. Mutuma (30093)
  238. Mutwiri (29456)
  239. Gakii (29447)
  240. Omollo (29444)
  241. Mbithi (29254)
  242. Wesonga (28889)
  243. Odera (28877)
  244. Mboya (28185)
  245. Kipsang (28154)
  246. Kibe (28076)
  247. Masinde (27381)
  248. Gathoni (27327)
  249. Muthui (27313)
  250. Kiplimo (27291)
  251. Kipngeno (27239)
  252. Kipkemboi (27152)
  253. Said (27148)
  254. Thuo (26986)
  255. Salim (26811)
  256. Nkatha (26732)
  257. Wasike (26648)
  258. James (26642)
  259. Ngigi (26297)
  260. Kipyegon (26241)
  261. Mokaya (26185)
  262. Aden (26179)
  263. Mutembei (26132)
  264. Wandera (26105)
  265. Nderitu (25942)
  266. Mwai (25783)
  267. Nyawira (25631)
  268. Kimeu (25559)
  269. Jepchirchir (25395)
  270. Okeyo (25333)
  271. Naliaka (25316)
  272. Chepkurui (25230)
  273. Maiyo (25227)
  274. Jeptoo (25201)
  275. Osoro (24956)
  276. Bundi (24783)
  277. Ngari (24763)
  278. Mbogo (24648)
  279. Kipkosgei (24593)
  280. Kipkurui (24564)
  281. Chelimo (24451)
  282. Mose (24239)
  283. Ngala (24220)
  284. Waithaka (24032)
  285. Aoko (23996)
  286. Kimanzi (23879)
  287. Ooko (23820)
  288. Njue (23741)
  289. Mutugi (23735)
  290. Ndunge (23684)
  291. Kenga (23573)
  292. Jepkoech (23525)
  293. Too (23523)
  294. Bosire (23400)
  295. Wangechi (23391)
  296. Ntinyari (23293)
  297. Kanyi (23270)
  298. Kathambi (23254)
  299. Morara (23124)
  300. Nzioka (23096)
  301. Sifuna (23064)
  302. Kanini (23058)
  303. Mukhwana (23009)
  304. Njau (22816)
  305. Mwirigi (22698)
  306. Munga (22671)
  307. Tsuma (22583)
  308. Kirwa (22575)
  309. Kigen (22567)
  310. Mathenge (22446)
  311. Odiwuor (22208)
  312. Mutie (22092)
  313. Oketch (22033)
  314. Katana (21963)
  315. Kithinji (21835)
  316. Kathure (21784)
  317. Gichuki (21722)
  318. Oyugi (21709)
  319. Charo (21668)
  320. Chepchirchir (21628)
  321. Omari (21626)
  322. Mohamud (21541)
  323. Tonui (21537)
  324. Mutethia (21517)
  325. Muthomi (21510)
  326. Jemutai (21338)
  327. Cheruto (21220)
  328. Yussuf (21162)
  329. Wangeci (21160)
  330. Biwott (21089)
  331. Koskei (21059)
  332. Keter (20946)
  333. Nyaboke (20938)
  334. Muthee (20861)
  335. Kamande (20830)
  336. Musa (20825)
  337. Osman (20783)
  338. Masika (20766)
  339. Khaemba (20716)
  340. Njambi (20700)
  341. Wangila (20670)
  342. Jerop (20639)
  343. Mogaka (20595)
  344. Chacha (20572)
  345. Kitsao (20509)
  346. Jebet (20456)
  347. Muthoka (20417)
  348. Muigai (20358)
  349. Kanana (20354)
  350. Ojwang (20340)

The diversity of surnames in Kenya

In Kenya, as in many other African countries, surnames have great cultural and social importance. Surnames are often inherited from generation to generation and can say a lot about the history and tradition of a family.

Origin of surnames in Kenya

Surnames in Kenya can have various origins, from tribal names to occupations or physical characteristics. Some surnames date back to colonial times, when European colonizers imposed their own names on the inhabitants of the region.

Today, most Kenyans carry surnames that reflect their ethnic origin, as the country is inhabited by a wide diversity of tribal groups. Each tribe has its own traditional surnames, which are usually passed down from father to son.

The most common surnames in Kenya

In Kenya, there are a wide variety of common surnames found in different regions of the country. Some of the most popular surnames in Kenya include names that refer to nature, such as Mountain or River, as well as surnames that indicate membership in a specific tribe.

Surnames in Kenya may also reflect the country's colonial history, with names of European origin being adopted by local families during colonization. These surnames tend to be more common among families of mixed or European ancestry in Kenya.

The importance of surnames in Kenyan society

In Kenya, surnames are not only a form of personal identification, but also play an important role in society. Surnames can indicate a person's lineage, social status or even their profession.

In some Kenyan communities, a person's surname can determine their position in society and the opportunities they have in life. For example, belonging to a family with a prestigious surname can open doors in terms of education, employment or marriage.

The evolution of surnames in Kenya

Throughout the history of Kenya, surnames have evolved and adapted to the social and cultural changes in the country. With globalization and urbanization, many Kenyans have adopted surnames of foreign origin or have changed their traditional surnames for more modern ones.

The evolution of surnames in Kenya reflects the diversity and history of the country, as well as the influence of different cultures on its development. Although surnames are only part of a person's identity, they remain an important element in the lives of Kenyans and in the construction of their identity.

In conclusion, surnames in Kenya are much more than just labels, they are an important part of people's cultural and social identity. Whether reflecting a family's ethnicity, the country's colonial history, or the evolution of Kenyan society, surnames in Kenya are a reflection of the diversity and richness of its people.

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