UK name, mostly boys
Kimani
Of African origin, meaning "born during harvest" or "reason for celebration".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kimani is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Kimani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3523, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 9 births.
This profile covers 88 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 1998 to 2023. 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 56% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 87 living people in the UK are called Kimani. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kimani ranked #3523 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 9 boys were registered as Kimani.
- • About 87 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kimani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 83.8% of Kimani registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3523
2023
Births in 2023
5
Latest year
Peak year
2004
9 births
Estimated living
87
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Kimani
In England and Wales birth records, Kimani has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 83.8% of registrations are for boys and 16.2% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Kimani registered for boys
- Ranked #3,523 in 2023
- 5 boys registered in 2023
- Peak: 2004 (9 births)
Kimani registered for girls
- Ranked #5,581 in 2021
- 3 girls registered in 2021
- Peak: 2001 (5 births)
Meaning
What does Kimani mean?
The name Kimani originates from the Kikuyu language, spoken by the Kikuyu people of Kenya. It is derived from the word "kiama," which means "warrior" or "brave one." The name is believed to have been in use since ancient times, reflecting the strong warrior traditions of the Kikuyu tribe.
In the early 19th century, the name Kimani appeared in written records kept by Christian missionaries who were among the first to document the Kikuyu language and culture. These records provide some of the earliest written accounts of the name's usage.
One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name Kimani was a Kikuyu chief who lived in the late 18th century. While his exact birth and death dates are unknown, he was renowned for his leadership and bravery during conflicts with neighboring tribes.
In the 20th century, several notable individuals with the name Kimani achieved prominence. Kimani Nganga Maruge (1920-2009) was a Kenyan politician and activist who played a significant role in the country's independence movement. He served as a member of the Legislative Council and was later appointed as an assistant minister in the post-independence government.
Another prominent figure was Kimani Gecau (1937-2008), a Kenyan politician and diplomat. He served as a member of parliament and held various cabinet positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Education. Gecau was also Kenya's ambassador to the United Nations from 1978 to 1988.
In the field of literature, Kimani Njogu (born 1945) is a renowned Kenyan author and scholar. He has written several books on African literature, culture, and politics, and has been a professor at various universities in Kenya and abroad.
Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge (1923-2015) was a Kenyan freedom fighter and politician. He played a crucial role in the Mau Mau uprising against British colonial rule and was later elected to the National Assembly, serving as a member of parliament for several terms.
These are just a few examples of prominent individuals throughout history who have borne the name Kimani, reflecting its deep roots in Kenyan culture and its association with bravery, leadership, and a strong sense of identity.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kimani over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Kimani in England and Wales, from 1998 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kimani, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kimani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kimani 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 | #4101 | 12 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4335 | 26 | 7 |
| 2000s | #2731 | 41 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2376 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Kimani
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kimani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kimani in the UK right now?
In 2023, Kimani was ranked #3523 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Kimani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 9 babies registered as Kimani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kimani?
Of African origin, meaning "born during harvest" or "reason for celebration".
How many people are called Kimani in the UK?
A total of 88 babies have been registered as Kimani across the 19 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.