Kennedy

Meaning of Kennedy

Kennedy—pronounced KEN-uh-dee—traces its lineage to the Gaelic surname Ó Cinnéidigh, commonly read as “helmeted chief,” and journeyed from Irish shores to American streets, where the surname-as-first-name trend and the aura of the U.S. presidential family turned it into a modern favorite. Usage statistics underscore its ascent: after appearing only five times on U.S. birth records in 1957, the name surged to nearly 4,500 registrations in 2015 and remains firmly planted in today’s Top 100, ranking 89th with 2,881 newborns in 2024. While technically unisex, contemporary practice skews strongly female, aligning with parents’ appetite for brisk, two-syllable names that balance strength and approachability. Kennedy’s crisp consonants roll easily off tongues in English and Spanish alike, explaining its presence from Boston to Bogotá and its growing appeal among Latina families seeking a pan-hemispheric sound. Rooted in Celtic history yet stamped with American dynamism, Kennedy offers a poised, internationally fluent option for a daughter poised to lead in any arena.

Pronunciation

American English

• Pronunced as KEN-uh-dee (/ˈkɛn.ə.di/)

• Kendall
• Kenzie
• Kenley
• Kennedi
• Kenna
• Kendra