Makena Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Makena is an African name of Kikuyu origin that means 'the happy one' or 'one who brings happiness.' It has evolved from its roots in Kikuyu and Swahili languages. The name is characterized by its association with joy and has gained popularity in recent decades, reflecting a positive image. There is no biblical relevance to the name.
The name Makena is most popular in Hawaii, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Makena has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Makena' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10056th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 12454th out of 24088 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4061st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 946th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1378th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Makena' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Makena"
Pronunciation
/məˈkɛnə/
Origin
African
Etymology
The name Makena is of Kikuyu origin, meaning 'the happy one' or 'one who brings happiness.'
Meaning
happiness, joy
Language Evolution
Kikuyu, Swahili
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity primarily in the late 20th century, particularly among communities embracing African heritage.
Variants & Derivatives
Makena, Makene
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Makena is perceived positively, often associated with joy and happiness, and is popular in various cultures, especially in Kenya.
Famous People
Makena K. Ochieng' - Kenyan artist, Makena K. Kinyanjui - Kenyan entrepreneur
Explore More Makena Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Makena"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Makena"
"Makena" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10056th of 16616 | 32 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 12454th of 24088 | 52 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4061st of 27321 | 372 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 946th of 35406 | 4,141 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1378th of 30306 | 1,990 |
Regional Popularity of "Makena" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Makena" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
88.39% 3257th/3685 |
- | - |
33.78% 2134th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
18.92% 867th/4582 |
31.39% 1621st/5164 |
20.83% 1523rd/7313 |
7.92% 591st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
37.53% 1495th/3984 |
53.11% 2383rd/4487 |
29.20% 1992nd/6822 |
13.42% 842nd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Makena"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Makena" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.