Ekene
Meaningpraise · Igbo
Ekene is an African gender-neutral name meaning “praise”, with Igbo roots. Igbo names frequently express faith, gratitude or a family's feelings about a child's arrival. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- Word funEkene starts and ends with the same letter, E. A neat little bookend.
- GenerationEkene peaked in 2003, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Ekene you'd meet today is about 22 years old.
- HistoryEkene first shows up in US birth records in 2000, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million girls, 2002–2025
US births per million boys, 2000–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ekene
Ekene is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “praise”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Ekene
What does the name Ekene mean?
Ekene means “praise” and comes from Igbo. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Psalm (“song of praise”), Praise (“praise”), Hila (“praise”) and Afreen (“praise, admiration”).
What is the origin of the name Ekene?
Ekene is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Igbo. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Ekene a boy or girl name?
Both. Ekene is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Ekene?
Ekene is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2006. It peaked at #13,844 in 2003, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Ekene?
If you like Ekene, you might also like Psalm, Praise, Hila and Afreen.
What should I know before naming my baby Ekene?
Ekene is an African gender-neutral name meaning “praise”, with Igbo roots. Igbo names frequently express faith, gratitude or a family's feelings about a child's arrival. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.