Kenya is a feminine given name taken directly from the East African country of Kenya. The country itself was named after Mount Kenya, which in the Kikuyu language is called Kĩrĩnyaga, meaning "the one having stripes" — a reference to the dark bands of rock and snow on the mountain's slopes. As a personal name, Kenya emerged in the English-speaking world during the 1960s, a period of increasing post-colonial engagement with Africa and a growing interest in exotic place names. The name has been used particularly within African American communities, reflecting a way to reclaim and celebrate African heritage. The choice of Kenya as a given name parallels the use of other country names like Kenya, Tanzania, or Sahara, and fits within the broader tradition of using geographical and celestial names as first names in the United States. Geographically, Kenya is a country in East Africa bordered by Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Its capital, Nairobi, was founded in 1899 as a railway depot and has grown into a major metropolis. Mount Kenya, the country's highest peak, stands at 5,199 meters and was long an object of Kikuyu reverence. In Kikuyu culture, the mountain was considered the dwelling place of God, Ngai, and is central to their myths and religious oaths. As a given name, Kenya ranks among the most popular of African country names used for girls in the United States, though its usage remains relatively rare compared to classic names. Meaning: From Mount Kenya's Kikuyu name, meaning "striped one" Origin: Kikuyu (language), English (usage) Type: Place name Usage regions: English-speaking world, particularly African American communities