Skip Ancestry main menuMain MenuAncestry
HomeTreesSearchDNAHelpExtras
Sign In
Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
  • Support Centre
  • Ancestry Blog
  • About Us
  • Site Map
  • Gift Memberships
  • Careers
    • Ancestry Corporate
    • Fold3.com
    • ForcesWarRecords.com
    • Geneanet.org
    • Newspapers.com
    • ProGenealogists.com
    • RootsWeb.com
  • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
Group of people

Meaning of the first name Kwanza

Origin

African - Kiswahili

Meaning

Beginning, Birth

Variations

Kwanze, Jawanza, Mowanza
The name Kwanza finds its origins in the Bantu language of Kiswahili, spoken in various African countries. In Kiswahili, Kwanza symbolizes the concept of beginning or birth. This name carries cultural significance, as it represents the idea of celebrating heritage and new beginnings.

In history, the name Kwanza is closely associated with the celebration of Kwanzaa. This week-long holiday was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an African-American professor and activist. Kwanzaa takes place from December 26th to January 1st and celebrates African heritage, unity, and community. The name Kwanza serves as a representation of the holiday's core principles, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's roots and striving for personal growth and development.

In modern-day usage, the name Kwanza has become more prominent as individuals seek to honor their African heritage. It is often used as a given name, reflecting parents' desire to instill a sense of identity and pride in their children. Additionally, Kwanza is still widely recognized as the name of the holiday that continues to be celebrated by millions around the world. Whether used as a given name or associated with the traditional holiday, Kwanza remains an emblem of cultural richness and the power of new beginnings.

Based on our records...

Cooper

Cooper

This is the most common surname associated with Kwanza.
Rodrick

Rodrick

This is the most common name of those married to a Kwanza.
Katie

Katie

This is the most common name for a child of a Kwanza.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

What are you curious about?

Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
Start a free trial
Order AncestryDNA
calendar.webp
Based on our records...

Did you know?

1974 is when there were the most people born with the first name Kwanza.

Explore the origins of another name.