Kenny
Kenny is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Handsome, born of fire, or fire-sprung.
Origin and history
Kenny originated as a diminutive of Kenneth, derived from the Gaelic names Coinneach or Cinnéidigh. While traditionally used as a familiar form, it has long functioned as an independent given name in the United States. It carries a classic mid-century friendly charm that remains recognizable today.
Popularity in the United States
51,931 babies in the United States have been named Kenny since 1880. It ranks #499 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1098.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.5 %)
- NY (8.9 %)
- TX (7 %)
- FL (4.8 %)
- OH (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 11 |
| 1910-1920 | 85 |
| 1920-1930 | 262 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,310 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,945 |
| 1950-1960 | 8,389 |
| 1960-1970 | 12,363 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,789 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,596 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,314 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,169 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,741 |
| 2020-2029 | 957 |
Famous people named Kenny
- Kenny Chesney: Singer, Songwriter
- Kenny Rogers: Singer, Actor
- Kenny G: Musician, Saxophonist
Fun facts
- Kenny derives from Kenneth, the name of Kenneth MacAlpin, traditionally considered the first King of Scotland.
- Although originally a nickname, Kenny has been registered as an independent given name on thousands of birth certificates in the U.S. since 1880.