Kennedy
Kennedy: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɛnədi/
Meaning and origin of Kennedy
Root meaning: “head”
- A unisex given name.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, of modern American usage.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
Borrowed from Irish Ó Cinnéidigh (ceann (“head”) + éidigh (“ugly”)) or Scottish Gaelic Ceannaideach (ceann (“head”) + aideach (“ugly”). Compare Kenneth and Irish eitigh (“refuse, reject”).
How popular is Kennedy?
Since 1880, 93,663 girls and 7,457 boys in the U.S. have been named Kennedy (93% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #54 in 2014. Its highest rank for boys was #518 in 1964. In 2025 it ranked #85 for girls, with 3,019 babies given the name.
Names similar to Kennedy
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish girl names
Sibling name ideas for Kennedy
Sister and brother names that share Kennedy's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kennedy FAQ
What does the name Kennedy mean?
Kennedy traces back to a root meaning "head". A unisex given name. A female given name transferred from the surname, of modern American usage. A male given name transferred from the surname. Borrowed from Irish Ó Cinnéidigh (ceann (“head”) + éidigh (“ugly”)) or Scottish Gaelic Ceannaideach (ceann (“head”) + aideach (“ugly”). Compare Kenneth and Irish eitigh (“refuse, reject”).
What is the origin of the name Kennedy?
Kennedy is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Kennedy?
Since 1880, 93,663 girls and 7,457 boys in the U.S. have been named Kennedy (93% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #54 in 2014. Its highest rank for boys was #518 in 1964. In 2025 it ranked #85 for girls, with 3,019 babies given the name.
Is Kennedy a boy or girl name?
Kennedy is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 93,663 girls and 7,457 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.