Kennedy
Kennedy is a unisex name of Irish origin meaning “helmeted chief; misshapen head.” It ranked #85 in the United States in 2025. From the Irish Gaelic Cinnéidigh (ceann = head, éidigh = ugly or helmeted).
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how do you pronounce Kennedy?
KEN-eh-dee
where does the name Kennedy come from?
An anglicisation of an Irish masculine name, Ó Cinnéidigh or Ceannaideach, usually parsed as ceann, head, with a second element read as helmeted or misshapen; the sense is not settled.
The Kennedy surname became globally iconic through President John F. Kennedy and his family, making this name a patriotic and aspirational choice in the U.S.
how popular is this name?
Kennedy has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 32 years since 1994. It peaked at #54 in 2014, and ranked #85 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #85 |
| 2024 | #89 |
| 2023 | #72 |
| 2022 | #74 |
| 2021 | #70 |
| 2020 | #72 |
| 2019 | #67 |
| 2018 | #59 |
| 2017 | #58 |
| 2016 | #59 |
| 2014 | #54 |
| 2010 | #111 |
| 2000 | #139 |
| 1994 | #524 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Kennedy fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Kennedy
Kennedy is a unisex given name in English. Its fame comes from the American political family, and its use as a girls' name in the United States follows from that rather than from any Irish precedent.
who are famous people named Kennedy?
- John F. Kennedy (U.S. president)
- Kennedy McMann (actress)
what are the nicknames and variants of Kennedy?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Kennedy?
what names go well with Kennedy?
Sibling names that share Kennedy's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Kennedy
What does the name Kennedy mean?
Kennedy means “helmeted chief; misshapen head”.
What is the origin of the name Kennedy?
Kennedy comes from the Irish naming tradition. Related forms include Kennedi and Cinnéidigh.
How popular is the name Kennedy?
Kennedy ranked #85 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2014, at #54, and it has spent 32 years in the top 1,000 since 1994.
Is Kennedy a boy or girl name?
Kennedy is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Kennedy?
Kennedy is pronounced KEN-eh-dee, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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