Kimani
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Kimani
Kimani is a gender-neutral name with African origins, though it's slightly more common for girls in some regions. The name comes primarily from Kenya, where in Kikuyu (one of Kenya's major languages), it means 'beautiful' or 'sweet.' In some contexts, it may also mean 'traveler' or 'adventurous one.' Kimani gained modest popularity in the United States beginning in the 1990s as part of a broader appreciation for African names. The name has a melodious quality with its alternating consonants and vowels, making it appealing across cultural boundaries. Kimani balances uniqueness with relatively straightforward pronunciation, making it accessible to diverse communities. It represents a connection to African heritage while functioning well in multicultural settings, appealing to parents seeking names with cultural significance and contemporary appeal.
Kimani for boys#3619 US
Kimani is a name with East African origins, particularly associated with Kikuyu culture in Kenya. Traditionally used for both boys and girls, though more commonly masculine in Western usage. The name means 'beautiful' or 'sweet' in Kikuyu, reflecting positive qualities and aspirations for the child. Kimani has gained some international recognition through notable figures in sports and arts. Its melodic three-syllable structure makes it accessible to speakers of various languages while maintaining its cultural authenticity. The name has seen modest but growing usage outside Africa as parents increasingly draw from diverse cultural traditions when naming their children.
Pronounced ki-MAHN-ee.
As of October 2026, Kimani ranked #4122 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #1896 in 2009.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,962 | 38 | #3,737 | 28 |
| 2015 | #3,413 | 47 | #4,814 | 20 |
| 2016 | #3,399 | 47 | #3,567 | 31 |
| 2017 | #3,417 | 46 | #3,849 | 28 |
| 2018 | #3,464 | 45 | #3,485 | 32 |
| 2019 | #3,022 | 54 | #2,879 | 43 |
| 2020 | #2,947 | 55 | #3,973 | 26 |
| 2021 | #2,940 | 57 | #3,876 | 28 |
| 2022 | #3,507 | 45 | #3,575 | 32 |
| 2023 | #2,997 | 56 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #3,417 | 46 | #3,555 | 32 |
| 2025 | #4,122 | 35 | #3,619 | 31 |
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Famous Kimanis
- Kimani FfriendGirl
Jamaican male basketball player
- Kimani JonesGirl
American NFL player
- Kimani NjoguGirl
Kenyan male linguist
- Kimani NehusiGirl
Guyanese,American male historian
- Kimani Ng'ang'a MarugeGirl
Kenyan man who holds the world record to be the oldest person to start primary school, at age 84