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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Nairobi — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Nairi|Nairoby
African◈ Unisex · 51% boy · 49% girl↓ Fading

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Nairobi

◈

nY-ROH-bee · 3 syllables

Share Nairobi:
Compare with another name
Girl
#1535
↓ Fading
Girl
#1535
Popularity score: 26
↓ Fading
Peak
#1043 in 2021
5yr
-216 ranks
Velocity
-216
Birth frequency
3.9 per 100,000 births
Boy

Outside top 1000

Last ranked #13541 in 2023

Peak: #13541 in 2023

→ Stable
5yr
—
Velocity
—
Birth frequency
1.4 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)19762023

Rank #13541 · Falling since 1976

This name is given to very few babies each year — it sits outside the range shown in these charts.

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1535 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
African girl names
Nairobi

Popularity score: 26  ·  SSA Rank: #1535

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
30
Higher than 30% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Fading
-216 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
70
Won't be common in class

Nairobi scores lower overall — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
32
Uniqueness20% of score
70
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
AfricanPlace nameGeographicUnisex3-syllableModernNature-inspiredKikuyu originTrendingCool vibe
Character
vibrant energyurban sophisticationcultural bridgedynamic resiliencecosmopolitan spirit
STRONG
High confidence

Nairobi is an African unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1535 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Fading · -216 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:—
Nairobi at a Glance
Meaning:Place of cool waters. Named after the capital of Kenya, derived from Kikuyu words referring to a water source in the region.
Language root:Kikuyu (Kenya) · Bantu languages
Peak rank:#1043 in 2021
5yr change:-216 ranks
Sex usage:Girl #1535 · Boy #—
Notable bearers

No notable bearers on record.

Similar Sound
NaomiNaiaNevada◈NavarreNiamh
Similar Style
Cairo◈Phoenix◈Aspen◈LagosBrooklyn◈
Works well with
AishaCairo◈Zuri◈LagosKenya◈Atlas◈Kai◈Nova◈
You Might Also Like
Aspen◈
English · #265
↓ Declining
Brooklyn◈
English · #108
→ Stable
Zuri◈
African · #277
↓ Declining
Imani
African · #526
↓ Declining
Nala
African · #752
↑ Rising
Kamiyah
African · #975
↓ Declining
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Nairobi illustration
Name Intelligence
Nairobi · Overview
Summary

Nairobi is an African unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1535 in the US in 2024.

Strengths
Works for any sex
51% boy · 49% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature · Modern character
Nairobi carries a cool, grounded quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 216 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
nairobi.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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