Kenny

Meaning of Kenny

Kenny bursts onto the scene like a friendly spark—short, bright, and impossible to miss. A spry nickname for the Scottish-Gaelic Kenneth, it carries the time-honored meanings “handsome,” “fair one,” and even “born of fire,” so it manages to be both charming and a little bit daring. In Irish circles, Kenny also doubles as a surname drawn from Ó Cionnaith, which adds a down-to-earth clan vibe to its résumé. Pop culture keeps the name humming: think country legend Kenny Rogers crooning “The Gambler,” Kenny Loggins dancing “Footloose,” and that famously indestructible Kenny from South Park—proof that the name has humor, heart, and staying power. Stateside, Kenny scorched the popularity charts in the mid-20th century and has since settled into a steady, under-the-radar groove, making it familiar yet far from overused. Pronounced simply KEN-ee, it’s easy on little tongues and big resumes alike—a compact package that delivers warmth, grit, and a wink of Celtic fire.