Kendal
Kendal is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Valley on the River Kent.
Origin and history
Kendal is an English name derived from the Cumbrian town of Kendal, meaning 'valley on the River Kent'. While historically used for both boys and girls, it remains a recognized unisex option in the United States. In recent years, it sees steady but modest usage for boys.
Popularity in the United States
4,677 babies in the United States have been named Kendal since 1880. It ranks #1811 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1758.
States where it is most popular
- TX (20.5 %)
- IL (10.6 %)
- CA (9.9 %)
- LA (9.9 %)
- AL (8.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 18 |
| 1930-1940 | 53 |
| 1940-1950 | 124 |
| 1950-1960 | 284 |
| 1960-1970 | 394 |
| 1970-1980 | 449 |
| 1980-1990 | 702 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,154 |
| 2000-2010 | 780 |
| 2010-2019 | 545 |
| 2020-2029 | 169 |
Famous people named Kendal
- Kendal Unruh: Activist, Educator
Nicknames
Ken, Kenny
Fun facts
- The name comes from Kendal, a market town in Cumbria, England, originally recorded as Kentdale.
- Although more frequently given to girls in the modern era, Kendal maintains a long-standing history of use for boys in the U.S.