Kenneth

“Anglicized from Gaelic Cainnech, 'handsome'; also from royal Cináed, of unclear meaning” — Scottish Gaelic origin

Boy's name · #294 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Kenneth has held steady since 1880, standing at #294 in 2025. It held the national top 100 for more than a century without a break. Kenneth's short forms are Ken and Kenny.

Around the world: about 1 in 3,100 boys in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 3,300 boys in Scotland (2025) · about 1 in 9,100 boys in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 45 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Kenneths

Kenneth Kaunda — First president of Zambia (1924–2021)
Kenneth Arrow — American economist (1921–2017)
Kenneth Branagh — British actor and filmmaker (born 1960)
Kenneth G. Wilson — Nobel prize winning US physicist
Kenneth MacAlpin — King of the Picts

In stories & tradition

Kenneth (Warren Worthington III) — Uncanny X-Men · X-Factor
Kenneth Widmerpool — A Dance to the Music of Time
Kenneth Baker — Metal Gear

What Kenneths become

Among 3,581 notable people named Kenneth:

Military figures appear 1.66× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson, British Army general.

Similar names: Kenny · Marvin · Kevin · Donald · Scott · Bryan

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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