Kindred Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KIN-dred //ˈkɪndrəd//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: related; family; kin
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kindred derives from the Old English term "cynd," meaning "kin" or "family." This term evolved from the Proto-Germanic root "*kunþi," which also relates to kinship and lineage. The word "kindred" itself emerged in Middle English as "kindred" or "kindrede," signifying a group of related individuals.
The transition into modern English retained the essence of familial connection, emphasizing relationships and bonds among people. The linguistic journey reflects a deep-rooted cultural significance of kinship in various societies, particularly in Anglo-Saxon England.
Historically, the concept of kindred has been significant in various cultures, particularly in medieval Europe, where lineage and family ties played a crucial role in social structure and inheritance. The term has been used in legal contexts, particularly in the formulation of laws regarding inheritance and familial obligations.
In literature, the notion of kindred is often explored in works that delve into themes of loyalty, identity, and belonging, reflecting the importance of family ties in shaping individual lives and societal norms. Culturally, the term "kindred" resonates with the idea of community and shared heritage.
It has been employed in various religious and philosophical texts to denote not just biological relationships but also spiritual and emotional connections among individuals. This broader interpretation has allowed the term to endure through centuries, symbolizing the universal human experience of belonging and connection.
The related term "kindred spirit" has also emerged, denoting a person with whom one shares a deep, intrinsic bond, further emphasizing the enduring significance of the concept in human relationships.
Fictional characters named Kindred
The following list of fictional characters named Kindred is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kindred is a fictional character from the graphic novel Kindred by Octavia Butler. They are a time-traveling protagonist who navigates the complexities of slavery and their own ancestry.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kindred, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kindred was first seen in the United States in 1996.
Kindred has ranked as high as #1350 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Kindred has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kindred is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kindred was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kindred
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kindred.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 |