Kent
Kent: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /kɛnt/
Meaning and origin of Kent
Root meaning: “gathering, folkmoot, hillock”
- A male given name transferred from the surname, of mostly American usage.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English Kent, from Old English Cent, from Latin Cantium, from Brythonic *Cantio (compare Old Irish céite (“gathering, folkmoot, hillock”)), from Proto-Celtic *kantos (“corner, rim”).
How popular is Kent?
Since 1880, 171 girls and 69,322 boys in the U.S. have been named Kent (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3833 in 1966. Its highest rank for boys was #136 in 1962. In 2025, 101 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Kent
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Kent
Sister and brother names that share Kent's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kent FAQ
What does the name Kent mean?
Kent traces back to a root meaning "gathering, folkmoot, hillock". A male given name transferred from the surname, of mostly American usage. Inherited from Middle English Kent, from Old English Cent, from Latin Cantium, from Brythonic *Cantio (compare Old Irish céite (“gathering, folkmoot, hillock”)), from Proto-Celtic *kantos (“corner, rim”).
What is the origin of the name Kent?
Kent is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Kent?
Since 1880, 171 girls and 69,322 boys in the U.S. have been named Kent (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3833 in 1966. Its highest rank for boys was #136 in 1962. In 2025, 101 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Kent a boy or girl name?
Kent is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 171 girls and 69,322 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.