Kenai
How to say it: KEE-nye · /ˈkiːnaɪ/
From the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska; derived from the Dena'ina Athabascan people's name for themselves, meaning 'people'.
Kenai was the 663rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 377 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 5.2-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #338 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #663 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 377 |
| Share of births | 1 in 8,794 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×5.2 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #338 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
A recent arrival with almost all use in modern times, Kenai crowns the 2020s as its top era. Standing at that crest, additional climb looks likely.
What goes with it
Bright airy tones, heard as KEE nye, give Kenai a nature rooted place character. Koda aligns in wild northern style and Kai echoes the vibrant close.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Kenai is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
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