Kenyans seem nearly all to have two names - an African one (usually in their local language, eg Murungi, Muithi, Mwenga) and a "Christian" ie western name (often Bible names like David, Joshaphat or Joram but also George, Benson, Nelson, Francis - as in Drake). It surprise me that, certainly in the past, the idea of getting a western name by means of baptism was an attraction.
The idea of naming a child after someone you admire is very much alive. One pastor has a son Malcolm, named after a minister in this country and there is more than one Les Beard, named for the man who spent five years in Kisumu some years ago with GBM. (When one man told me his son's name at first I thought he was saying another word that begins "Lesb" and felt rather nervous though I was sure he could not be saying what I thought he was). I'm told there is also a Beard and girls named for Ann, Les's wife.
Patronyms are traditionally used among some Kenyan tribes, including the Maasai who use Ole. The Kalenjins use Arap (very much like the Welsh Ap, note) as in Daniel Arap Moi. There is also an endearing tradition of using the word Mama or Baba and the name of one of their children to refer respectfully to people. Mzee is a term of respect for (usually older) men.
In the Dholuo language of the Luo male names often begin with "O" (as in Obama). It means "he".
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