Kennedy
Kennedy is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Helmeted head or misshapen head.
Origin and history
Kennedy is a popular unisex given name derived from an Irish surname meaning 'helmeted head' or 'deformed head'. Historically associated with the prominent American political family, it gained strong momentum as a given name for girls in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Today, it remains a common modern staple in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
93,663 babies in the United States have been named Kennedy since 1880. It ranks #394 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #71.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.4 %)
- CA (7.5 %)
- OH (5.3 %)
- GA (4.8 %)
- MI (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 16 |
| 1970-1980 | 23 |
| 1980-1990 | 126 |
| 1990-2000 | 8,552 |
| 2000-2010 | 27,569 |
| 2010-2019 | 38,593 |
| 2020-2029 | 18,779 |
Famous people named Kennedy
- Kennedy McMann: Actress
Nicknames
Kenny, Ken
Fun facts
- It derives from the Gaelic name Cinnéidigh, which combined elements meaning head and helmet or chieftain.
- Kennedy rose sharply in popularity for girls in the 1990s as surname names became trendy.