Girl · 66th of 30,306
Kennedy
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
98,080
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2015
Peak Popularity Year
4,687
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kennedy stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Kennedy is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic 'Cinnéidigh', meaning 'descendant of the helmeted one'. The name has evolved from Cinnéidigh to its modern form, Kennedy, and embodies traits of strength and leadership. It has significant biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in the 20th century, closely associated with the influential Kennedy family in the United States.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛnədi/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Kennedy is derived from the Gaelic name 'Cinnéidigh', which means 'descendant of Cinnéidigh'. The personal name Cinnéidigh is composed of the elements 'ceann' meaning 'head' and 'éidigh' meaning 'helmet' or 'safety'.
Meaning
descendant of the helmeted one
Language Evolution
Cinnéidigh, Cinnéide, Kennedy
Historical Usage
The name Kennedy gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, due to the prominence of the Kennedy family, especially President John F. Kennedy.
Variants & Derivatives
Ken, Kenny, Kendall
Modern Popularity & Image
Kennedy is perceived as a strong and distinguished name, often associated with leadership and political legacy, particularly in American culture.
Famous People
John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,687 peak births in 2015
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 11 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2961st of 7545 | 125 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2877th of 6773 | 127 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1026th of 7552 | 1,008 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1367th of 10718 | 630 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1197th of 16616 | 1,216 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1033rd of 24088 | 2,664 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1379th of 23106 | 1,598 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 10657th of 12526 | 11 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 10755th of 19264 | 38 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 852nd of 27321 | 3,499 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 127th of 35406 | 42,212 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 66th of 30306 | 44,952 |