This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
Published on December 6, 2019, a groundbreaking study by NetCredit has shed light on the most common surnames across the globe, including Kenya.
According to the research, Mwangi emerged as the most common surname in Kenya, a name predominantly used by the Agikuyu community in Central Kenya.
The study, which analyzed surnames from various countries, found that Mwangi is not an isolated case. In Uganda, Akelo is the most common name, while Juma tops the list in Tanzania, Nkurunziza in Burundi, Uwimana in Rwanda, Ali in Somalia, Tesfaye in Ethiopia, and Deng in South Sudan.
Interestingly, the most common surname in the United States is Smith, a name also prevalent in Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China, Russia, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Germany.
NetCredit categorized surnames into five general groups: occupational, personal descriptor, toponymic, patronymic, and names that connote patronage. The study provides valuable insights into the origins and meanings behind these surnames.
For instance, the occupational surname 'Smith' originated from the profession of blacksmiths, while the patronymic surname 'Wang' means 'king' in Mandarin and is the most common surname in China.
