Makena
Makena is a girls' name of African origin meaning “happy one, the one who brings happiness.” Makena is a Kikuyu name from Kenya meaning the happy one, given as a joyful prophecy over the child's life.
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how do you pronounce Makena?
mah-KEH-nah
where does the name Makena come from?
Makena is a name from Kenya, usually glossed as happy one.
In Kikuyu tradition, names shape destiny, and calling a child Makena expresses both the happiness they bring and the happiness wished for their future.
how popular is this name?
Makena has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 11 years since 2002, and fell outside it for 1. It peaked at #717 in 2005, and ranked #994 in 2013.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2013 | #994 |
| 2012 | #988 |
| 2010 | #899 |
| 2009 | #949 |
| 2008 | #863 |
| 2007 | #906 |
| 2006 | #804 |
| 2005 | #717 |
| 2004 | #831 |
| 2002 | #774 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Makena fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Makena?
- Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan (daughter of Helen Hunt)
- Makena (character in American Girl doll series)
what names are similar to Makena?
what names go well with Makena?
Sibling names that share Makena's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Makena
What does the name Makena mean?
Makena means “happy one, the one who brings happiness”.
What is the origin of the name Makena?
Makena comes from the African naming tradition.
How popular is the name Makena?
Makena ranked #994 in the US in 2013, according to Social Security data.
Is Makena a boy or girl name?
Makena is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Makena?
Makena is pronounced mah-KEH-nah, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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