Enijah is a unique and distinctive name of African origin, specifically from the Igbo people of Nigeria. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls.
The name Enijah is believed to have been coined by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe in his novel "Things Fall Apart". In the book, Enijah is a character who plays a significant role in the story. Since its appearance in the novel, the name has gained popularity among the Igbo people and beyond.
The meaning of Enijah is not explicitly defined in the novel or by any other source. However, some believe that it could be derived from the Igbo word "enihi" which means "to be brave" or "courageous". This interpretation adds a layer of strength and boldness to the name.
Despite its unclear meaning, Enijah has become a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child. It is often associated with creativity and originality, as it was created by a renowned author and has gained popularity through his work.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Enijah has seen a varied trend of popularity over time in the United States.
From 2000 to 2017, there have been a total of 170 births with the name Enijah. The number of births per year fluctuated, indicating that the name's popularity was not consistent throughout this period.
In the year 2000, there were 8 babies named Enijah, which was the lowest point in terms of popularity during these years. This number then increased to a peak of 18 births in 2008.
However, after 2008, the popularity of the name Enijah began to decline, with only 5 births recorded in both 2016 and 2017. Despite this recent decrease, it is still important to note that over the course of nearly two decades, there have been a significant number of babies named Enijah.
Overall, these statistics show that while the name Enijah has not been consistently popular throughout its history in the United States, it has nonetheless been a chosen name for hundreds of newborns during this time period.