Naivasha is a town located in the Nakuru County region of Kenya, situated approximately 92.8 km (57.7 mi) northwest of Nairobi. The settlement is positioned on the shores of Lake Naivasha, which serves as the namesake for the town.
The name Naivasha originates from the Maasai word ɛnaɨpɔ́sha, which translates to "that which heaves." This term was commonly used by the Maasai to describe bodies of water large enough to produce waves during windy or stormy conditions. The current name developed as a result of British attempts to pronounce the original Maasai term.
Since 1969, the town has experienced significant growth, with its population expanding by a factor of 17 to reach over 355,383 residents as of the 2019 census. Due to the linguistic origins of its name, Lake Naivasha is literally translated as "Lake Lake," while Naivasha Town translates to "Lake Town."