Kennedy
Kennedy is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Helmeted head or armored chief.
Origin and history
Kennedy is a name of Gaelic origin, traditionally derived from elements meaning 'helmeted head' or 'armored leader'. Historically used as a surname and masculine given name, it gained broad usage in the United States, particularly associated with the prominent American political family. While more frequently given to females in recent decades, it maintains steady historical and contemporary use for males.
Popularity in the United States
7,457 babies in the United States have been named Kennedy since 1880. It ranks #1401 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1318.
States where it is most popular
- CA (20.4 %)
- TX (15.6 %)
- FL (8 %)
- GA (7.9 %)
- NY (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 51 |
| 1920-1930 | 91 |
| 1930-1940 | 62 |
| 1940-1950 | 102 |
| 1950-1960 | 186 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,129 |
| 1970-1980 | 250 |
| 1980-1990 | 464 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,274 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,714 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,497 |
| 2020-2029 | 637 |
Famous people named Kennedy
- Kennedy Polamalu: Football Coach, Athlete
- Kennedy Winston: Basketball Player
Nicknames
Ken, Kenny
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Irish words 'ceann' (head) and 'éidigh' (armored or helmeted).
- Its prominence as a given name in the United States was largely bolstered by the legacy of John F. Kennedy.