NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Kenza

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "treasure" or "precious".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kenza is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kenza popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1198, with 28 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2020, with 35 births.

This profile covers 493 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 491 living people in the UK are called Kenza. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kenza ranked #1198 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 28 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2020, when 35 girls were registered as Kenza.
  • About 491 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kenza as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1198

2024

Births in 2024

28

Latest year

Peak year

2020

35 births

Estimated living

491

2026

Meaning

What does Kenza mean?

The name Kenza has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "kanz," which means "treasure" or "precious." The name's popularity can be traced back to the 7th century, when the Islamic faith and Arabic culture began to spread across various regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kenza can be found in ancient Islamic literature, particularly in the works of renowned scholars and poets. It was often used as a poetic metaphor, symbolizing the preciousness and value of something or someone.

In the 9th century, a famous Moroccan woman named Kenza al-Awrabiya gained recognition for her literary works and contributions to the advancement of education in the region. Her legacy as a scholar and educator has been celebrated throughout history.

During the 11th century, Kenza al-Gharnatiya, a renowned poet from Granada, Spain, gained fame for her captivating verses and elegant literary style. Her poetry often explored themes of love, beauty, and the human experience.

In the 13th century, Kenza bint al-Abbas, a princess from the Hafsid dynasty in Ifriqiya (present-day Tunisia), played a significant role in the political and cultural affairs of her time. Her patronage of the arts and sciences left a lasting impact on the region's cultural heritage.

Another notable figure bearing the name Kenza was Kenza Naout, a 20th-century Algerian writer and activist. Born in 1942, she dedicated her life to advocating for women's rights and championing social and political reforms in her country.

Throughout the centuries, the name Kenza has been carried by numerous individuals who have left their mark on various fields, including literature, arts, education, and social activism. Although the name's popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, it has maintained a strong connection to its Arabic roots and the rich cultural heritage associated with it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Kenza over time

The chart below shows babies named Kenza registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Kenza, the clearest high point is 2020. The latest England and Wales figure is 28 births in 2024, compared with 35 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Kenza
09182635199620102024

Decades

Kenza by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kenza was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #1080 157 5
2010s #1608 196 10
2000s #1803 122 10
1990s #3150 18 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Kenza

  • Kenza Boutrif

    model

    Model

    2001-

Related

Names similar to Kenza

FAQ

Kenza: questions and answers

How popular is the name Kenza in the UK right now?

In 2024, Kenza was ranked #1198 for girls in England and Wales, with 28 births registered.

When was Kenza most popular?

The peak year on record was 2020, with 35 babies registered as Kenza in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kenza?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "treasure" or "precious".

How many people are called Kenza in the UK?

A total of 493 babies have been registered as Kenza across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.