Keino is a name of Kenyan origin, derived from the Maasai people's language. It means "the firstborn" in this language. The name has a long history and significant cultural importance among the Maasai community.
The Maasai people are an ethnic group inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are known for their unique culture and traditions, including their naming practices. In Maasai society, the firstborn child is considered sacred and is given the name Keino to signify this special status.
Keino has been a popular name among the Maasai people for generations, passed down from one generation to another. It is often used as both a boy's and girl's name, reflecting the importance of the firstborn child regardless of gender in Maasai culture.
Today, Keino remains a beloved name among the Maasai people and has gained international recognition due to the success of Kenyan runners with this name. For instance, Wilfred Keino is a legendary Kenyan runner who won gold medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics and 1972 Summer Olympics in the men's 1500 meters event.
In summary, Keino is a name of Kenyan origin that means "the firstborn" in the Maasai language. It has a rich history and cultural significance among the Maasai people and has gained international recognition due to the success of Kenyan runners with this name.
The name Keino experienced a steady decline in popularity from the peak of 19 births in 1972 to just 5 births annually between 1976 and 2008, with only two notable spikes in 1979 and 2001. Over this period, there were a total of 89 babies named Keino.