Kenya
/ˈkɛ.njə/noun
A country in East Africa known for its diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Did you know?The name 'Kenya' is believed to originate from the Kikuyu word 'Kere Nyaga', meaning 'God's Resting Place', connecting it to spiritual significance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Bantu
Bantu
*kɪ́na
“mountain, hill”
19th Century
Kikuyu
Kere Nyaga
“the white mountain, referring to Mount Kenya as a sacred place”
1890s
English
Kenya
“adoption of Kikuyu name for the mountain and surrounding region by British colonialists”
20th Century
English
Kenya
“official name for the independent nation formed in 1963, retaining its historical roots”
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