What does Kenyatta mean?

Answer 1

Please do not quote on this, but when I was in college I had a professor that was from Africa and she told me that my name(Kenyatta) stands for Kenya's light or Kenya's star!!! It had to do with Jomo Kenyatta being the first prime minister of Kenya and the way he led the people. I hope that this helps someone out there. I have found it to be very interesting and not to mention that my personality seems to go along with being someone that people can look up to and learn from. I do help light the way for many young adults that would otherwise have no type of guidance.

This is partially right. Jomo Kenyatta was once the prime minister of Kenya, but was, in fact, the first president of Kenya. The story your teacher said was almost right. "Tata Kenya" means "light of Kenya". Jomo Kenyatta was seen as the light of Kenya in the capacity he was in. Kenyatta, in fact, means "musician" or "artist". By the way, my name is Kenyatta also.

Answer 2

Flaming spear

CORRECTION: "Kenyatta" mean nothing in Swahili. The Father of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta, made up the name for himself; he was botn Kamau wa Ngengi and changed his name several times before arrive at Jomo Kenyatta.

Wikipedia, which in only occasionally accurate when discussing African names and languages, says this on the subject: "The name 'Jomo' is translated in English [from what language? Not stated] to 'Burning Spear,' while the name 'Kenyatta"' was said to be a reference to the beaded Masai belt he wore, and later to 'the Light of Kenya' . . . " This contributor does not recommend taking any of these translations as accurate in any language.

Answer 3

Kenyatta is a Swahili name that means "musician" or "singer". It is a common name in Kenya and has connections to the Mau Mau leader Jomo Kenyatta.