The name Akeela is of Swahili origin and it has a fascinating history behind it. It was brought into prominence by the novel "Hatchet" written by Gary Paulsen in which the main character, Brian Robeson, learns survival skills with his friend Akeela from an Indian tribe.
However, the name Akeela itself predates this novel and is deeply rooted in Swahili culture. In Swahili, Akeela means "wise," "intelligent," or "learned." This name was traditionally given to children who were expected to grow up with great wisdom and intelligence.
The use of Akeela as a female name can also be traced back to the Bible, where it is mentioned as one of the wives of Lamech in the Book of Genesis. However, it's important to note that the meaning of the name varies depending on its cultural context - while Swahili culture associates it with wisdom and intelligence, in biblical context, Akeela might have different connotations.
Today, Akeela is still a popular name among those who admire its unique sound and rich history. It is often used as a female name, although some cultures use it for males as well. Despite its growing popularity, Akeela remains a distinctive name that carries with it the wisdom of ancient Swahili culture and the spirit of adventure from Gary Paulsen's novel.
The name Akeela has seen a varied trend in its usage as a baby name in the United States over the past few decades, with some years showing more popularity than others.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the name Akeela was relatively uncommon, with only 13 babies named Akeela in 1979 and just 5 in 1982. However, there was a slight increase in usage in the mid-1980s and early 1990s, with 6 births each in 1984 and 1992, and reaching a peak of 10 births in 1995.
After a period of decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with only 6 births each in 2000 and 2003, the name Akeela started to gain more popularity. In 2006, there were 17 babies named Akeela, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued into the late 2000s and early 2010s, with 15 births in 2007 and 14 births in 2010.
However, since then, the popularity of the name Akeela has fluctuated. There were only 6 births each in 2011 and 2013, but it increased again to 7 births in both 2014 and 2015. After a dip to 6 births in 2017, the name Akeela experienced a recent surge in popularity with 7 births each in 2020 and 2021.
Overall, as of 2022, there have been a total of 197 babies named Akeela born in the United States since 1979. While the name's popularity has ebbed and flowed over the years, it remains a unique and uncommon choice for parents looking for something distinctive for their child.