Kennedy
How to say it: KEN-uh-dee · /ˈkɛnədi/
From Gaelic 'Ceanneididh' meaning 'misshapen head'. An old Irish clan name, widely known from the US presidential family.
Kennedy was the 90th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 2,933 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2010s, its births are down about 39% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #125 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #90 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 2,933 |
| Share of births | 1 in 978 |
| Peak decade | 2010s |
| Change over 10 years | −39% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #125 |
| In France, 2025 | #4,924 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Emerging almost entirely in recent decades, Kennedy crested in the 2010s. Still hovering near that crest, it will probably edge down from here.
What goes with it
Sharp and snappy, voiced KEN uh dee. Harper carries the same modern snap and Avery stands as another good companion.
Middle names that flow with Kennedy →
Nicknames
- Ken
- Kenny
- Kenn
Honouring a Kennedy in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Kennedy is about 1 in 41.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Irish.
In France: #4,924 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Kennedy
- Kennedy McMann (born 1996)American actress
- Kennedy Blades (born 2003)American wrestler
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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