Keni is of African origin, derived from the Swahili word 'kenya', meaning 'swift'. It's often used as a nickname for Kenya but can also stand alone as a given name. Keni gained prominence in the United States during the late 20th century, with its peak popularity occurring in the early 1980s.
The name Keni experienced its peak popularity during the late 1970s to early 1980s, with a total of 55 births recorded between 1978 and 1983 alone. However, it appears that this name has become less common in recent years, with fewer than 10 births annually since 2005. Despite the fluctuations in popularity, Keni has remained a consistent choice for parents over the past six decades, with at least one birth recorded every year except for 1959-1962 and 1964-1967.