Kennedy Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationKEN-uh-dee / /ˈkɛnədi/Irish; Scottish
Meaning
Irish: 'descendant of the handsome one'; Scottish: 'helmeted chief'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kennedy has roots in both Irish and Scottish cultures. In Ireland, it is derived from the surname Ó Cinnéide, which means 'descendant of Cinnéidigh'. The name gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, influenced by the Kennedy family, notably President John F. Kennedy.
Trend Summary
Kennedy has seen a steady rise in popularity as a girl's name in the United States since the late 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Kendall
- Kenna
International Variants
- Kenny (English)
- Kendrick (English)
Famous people named Kennedy
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Fictional characters named Kennedy
Kennedy is a character in the video game series 'Call of Duty', known for her role in the storyline.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kennedy was first seen in the United States in 1957. Kennedy has ranked as high as #148 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Georgia, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Kennedy has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Kennedy (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 255 | |
| CA | 205 | |
| FL | 163 | |
| NC | 135 | |
| PA | 117 | |
| GA | 115 | |
| NY | 110 | |
| OH | 103 | |
| IL | 96 | |
| VA | 80 | |
| NJ | 75 | |
| TN | 75 | |
| WI | 74 | |
| IN | 69 | |
| AZ | 67 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 17 |
| 1987 | 25 |
| 1988 | 16 |
| 1989 | 27 |
| 1990 | 38 |
| 1991 | 33 |
| 1992 | 47 |
| 1993 | 134 |
| 1994 | 473 |
| 1995 | 1,235 |
| 1996 | 1,418 |
| 1997 | 1,624 |
| 1998 | 1,658 |
| 1999 | 1,892 |
| 2000 | 2,390 |
| 2001 | 2,406 |
| 2002 | 2,513 |
| 2003 | 2,774 |
| 2004 | 2,886 |
| 2005 | 2,826 |
| 2006 | 2,904 |
| 2007 | 3,053 |
| 2008 | 2,953 |
| 2009 | 2,863 |
| 2010 | 2,833 |
| 2011 | 3,248 |
| 2012 | 3,389 |
| 2013 | 3,961 |
| 2014 | 4,497 |
| 2015 | 4,522 |
| 2016 | 4,341 |
| 2017 | 4,162 |
| 2018 | 3,945 |
| 2019 | 3,691 |
| 2020 | 3,360 |
| 2021 | 3,443 |
| 2022 | 3,075 |
| 2023 | 3,074 |
| 2024 | 2,881 |