UK girl's name
Makeba
A feminine name of African origin meaning "little lamb".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Makeba is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Makeba popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2011 to 2011. 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.
Makeba is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Makeba. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Makeba ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 3 girls were registered as Makeba.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Makeba as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Makeba mean?
The name Makeba is believed to have originated from the Xhosa language spoken by the Xhosa people of South Africa. It is thought to be derived from the Xhosa word "makeba," which means "to dance." The name has been in use among the Xhosa people for centuries, reflecting their rich cultural heritage and connection to music and dance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Makeba dates back to the late 19th century. Miriam Makeba, a legendary South African singer and civil rights activist, was born in 1932 and passed away in 2008. She was known as "Mama Africa" and played a significant role in introducing African music to the world stage. Her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to the anti-apartheid movement made her an iconic figure in South African history.
Another notable figure with the name Makeba was Makeba Wilstar, a South African actress and model born in 1981. She has appeared in several South African television series and films, showcasing her talent and contributing to the entertainment industry.
In the literary world, Makeba Ngwira is a South African author and academic who has written extensively on topics related to African literature and culture. Her works have been widely acclaimed and have contributed to the preservation and promotion of African heritage.
Outside of South Africa, Makeba Rainier was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1960s. She was an activist and organizer who worked tirelessly to promote equal rights and social justice for African Americans.
While the name Makeba has its roots in South Africa, it has also been embraced by individuals from various cultural backgrounds around the world. The name's association with music, dance, and cultural pride has resonated with people across different continents, making it a name that transcends geographical boundaries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Makeba by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Makeba 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Makeba
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Makeba: questions and answers
How popular is the name Makeba in the UK right now?
In 2011, Makeba was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Makeba most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 3 babies registered as Makeba in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Makeba?
A feminine name of African origin meaning "little lamb".
How many people are called Makeba in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Makeba across the 1 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.