Kenneth
Kenneth: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɛn.əθ/
Meaning and origin of Kenneth
- A male given name from Scottish Gaelic, originally used in Scotland, popular in all English-speaking countries in the 20th century.
Etymology
Anglicized form of two Goidelic names, Old Irish Cináed, the name of Scottish kings derived from Pictish *ᚉᚔᚅᚔᚑᚇ (Ciniod), and the saint's name Cainnech (literally “handsome”) (modern Scottish Gaelic Coinneach), as in the surname Mackenzie.
How popular is Kenneth?
Since 1880, 5,338 girls and 1,283,974 boys in the U.S. have been named Kenneth (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #744 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #13 in 1939. In 2025 it ranked #294 for boys, with 1,148 babies given the name.
Names similar to Kenneth
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Scottish boy names
Sibling name ideas for Kenneth
Sister and brother names that share Kenneth's Scottish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kenneth FAQ
What does the name Kenneth mean?
A male given name from Scottish Gaelic, originally used in Scotland, popular in all English-speaking countries in the 20th century. Anglicized form of two Goidelic names, Old Irish Cináed, the name of Scottish kings derived from Pictish *ᚉᚔᚅᚔᚑᚇ (Ciniod), and the saint's name Cainnech (literally “handsome”) (modern Scottish Gaelic Coinneach), as in the surname Mackenzie.
What is the origin of the name Kenneth?
Kenneth is listed as a name of Scottish origin.
How popular is the name Kenneth?
Since 1880, 5,338 girls and 1,283,974 boys in the U.S. have been named Kenneth (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #744 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #13 in 1939. In 2025 it ranked #294 for boys, with 1,148 babies given the name.
Is Kenneth a boy or girl name?
Kenneth is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 5,338 girls and 1,283,974 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.