Popular Kenyan runners -what's in their names?

The names: Kipchoge & Kemboi. Cheruiyot & Jepkosgei. They immediately bring to mind our favorite athletes, but they are actually among the common Kalenjin names. Most Kenyan runners hail from the Kalenjin community, which is also the second largest ethnic group by population in Kenya. The names all are deep with meaning, so we wanted to break down how our favourite athletes got their names. 

Just like many other indigineous African communities, Kalenjin naming is based on what happened at the time of the child’s birth. So names often refer to the weather, events, a season, a time or place of birth, a special happening. 

The masculines take on the prefix “Kip” or “Ki” with a few exceptions like while the feminines take on the prefix “Chep,” “Che”  as well as  “Jep” or just “Je.”

We did a list of some common Kalenjin masculine names and feminine names. Take your time and spot the names of your favorite Kenyan runners.

Common masculine names

Kipkeino -  means born when cow milk is short and the goats or sheep are being milked instead.

Kimutai -born in mid-morning.

Kibet -born at midday

Kipkorir -born just before dawn

Kipkoech -born at dawn

Kiplagat (sometimes, Kiplangat) - born at sunset 

Kipkirui - born just soon after nightfall, after dark.

Kipruto -born on a safari

Kiprotich -born when cattle have been brought home for milking in the evening.

Kipchoge -born near a grain store or a barn

Kipsang - born on the outdoors, in the open.

Kipkemboi - born at night

Kipketer-born on the open porch or verandah

Kiptanui -failed to cry or breath just after birth

Kiprono -born in the evening at time when sheep and goats are being returned to their sheds.

Kiprop - born during the rainy season.

Kiplimo -born among grazing cattle

Kipkosgei - born after a extended labor or a long gap between siblings

Kipchirchir - born in a hurry or after a short period of labor

Kipngeno -born when goats are waking up

Kipngetich-born when cows are taken out to graze after morning milking

Kiptoo - born with visitors around

Kiptum - born during circumcision ceremonies

Kiprugut- born at a time of famine

Kipkemei - born during drought

Kiptalam -born during locust infestation, ‘talamuet’ is locust 

Kitur -born after parents had lost hope of ever having a child

Kigen -born after a period of long wait (a son born after several other daughters)

Kimaiyo/Komen -born during brewing or drinking of beer or traditional liquor.

Kibitok -born on the father’s side of the homestead’s bed or hut.

Common feminine names

Jepchirchir/Chepchirchir -born in a hurry after short labor

Jepkorir/Chepkorir-born just before dawn

Jepkoech/Chepkoech -born at dawn.

Jemutai/Chemutai -born in mid-morning.

Jebet/Chebet -born at midday.

Jelagat/Chelagat -born when the sunsets.

Jepkirui/Chepkirui -born shortly after dark.

JepkemboiChepkemboi-born at night

Jepngetich/Chepngetich- born when cows are taken out to graze after morning milking

Jerotich/Cherotich --born when cattle have been brought home for milking in the evening.

Jepngeno/Chepngeno -born when goats are waking up

Jerono/Cherono-born in the evening at time when sheep and goats are being returned to their sheds.

Jepkeino/Chepkeino -  means born when cow milk is short and the goats or sheep are being milked instead.

Jeplimo/Chelimo-born among grazing cattle

Jepkosgei/Chepkosgei-born after a extended labor or a long gap between siblings

Jeptanui/Cheptanui--failed to cry or breath just after birth

Jepketer/Chepketer -born on the open porch or verandah

Jepchoge/Chepchoge -born near a grain store or a barn, “choge” means a barn or store.

Jepsang/Chesang -born outdoors

Jebitok/Chebitok -born on the father’s side of the homestead’s bed or hut.

Jemaiyo/Chemaiyo -born during brewing or drinking of beer or traditional liquor.

Jeruto/Cheruto -born on a safari

Jepkemei/Chepkemei-born during drought

Jeptalam/Cheptalam -born during locust infestation, ‘talamuet’ is locust

Jepsigei/Chepsigei -born by mother without help, lucky!

There are a few interesting twists on this general pattern of naming: patrilineal naming, and different prefixes used by certain sub-tribes. Let’s take a look at those. 

Patrilineal Names

The Kalenjin naming system often affirms the identity of an individual and also puts them into a relationship with others. Father’s tend to pass their names to their sons through the removal of the prefix “Kip.” For example, if a father is Kipkorir, the son may be named Korir. A good example is Kenyan long distance runner, and former parliamentarian Wesley Korir. Wesley Korir is the son of Nehemiah Kipkorir. If the name is Lagat, like the Kenyan-American middle and long distance runner, Benard Lagat, then it means the father’s name is Kiplagat. 

The word “arap” is also used to make reference to “son of.” Whereas personal names are given at birth depending on the circumstances at their birth, the patronym “arap” is given later in life following initiation ceremonies. Wesley Korir’s son may later be named “arap Korir,” meaning son of Korir. 

Some Variants 

Occasionally, Kalenjins have been easily mistaken to be a single tribe. But actually, the Kalenjin are a community of culturally and linguistically related subtribes. This includes sub-tribes like the  Kispsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Tugen, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokot, Terik, and Ogiek. Each group does names slightly differently, so meanings and how people come by their names might change from one group to another. 

The Tuwei, Mibei, Mosop, and Merop people generally don’t use the Kip or Che prefixes 

However, there are names that do not have a “Kip” prefix like Cheptegei, Cheruiyot, or Chepkulei. These do not change when passed on to children. 

The prefix “Kip” especially among the Tugen and Keiyo subtribes, may denote both males and females. A good example is the 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Champion marathon champion, Edna Kiplagat. There are sub-sub-tribes among the Kalenjin community where the prefix “Che” which is feminine has also been used among men. A good example is the Sabiny (a Kalenjin sub-sub-tribe in the border of Kenya and Uganda), where Joshua Cheptegei (Ugandan long distance runner) hails from.