Kenneth

Meaning: Handsome
Origin: Scottish Gaelic — Anglicized form of Cainnech and of the royal name Cináed

Nicknames: Ken, Kenny

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

Popularity over time

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.

Across the states

See where Kenneth is more common.

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

Around the world

See how Kenneth ranks in other countries and regions.

#243 in Ecuador (2025) · #495 in Scotland (2025) · #629 in Canada (2025) · #1,007 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,739 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,144 in Sweden (2025) · #4,871 in France (2025) · #15,027 in Italy (2024) · #785 in Ireland (2024) · #204 in Puerto Rico (2022) · #2,692 in Austria (2022) · #475 in Norway (2021) and 6 more.

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 (1936–2013)
Kenneth MacAlpin — King of the Picts from 848 to 858 (c. 810–858)
Kenneth Grahame — British novelist (1859–1932)
Kenneth Lonergan — American film director, playwright, and screenwriter (born 1962)
Kenneth Anger — American filmmaker (1927–2023)
Kenneth Taylor — Dutch footballer (born 2002)
Kenneth Clark — British art historian, museum director, and documentary TV presenter (1903–1983)

In stories & tradition

Kenneth Widmerpool — Fictional character in Anthony Powell's novel sequence A Dance to the Music of Time
Kenneth Baker^it — Metal Gear (video game series)

What Kenneths become

Among 3,580 notable people named Kenneth:

Scientists & scholars appear 1.66× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kenneth Arrow, American economist (1921–2017).

Spellings & nicknames

About 160 boys a year are given Kenny as their full name.

Similar names: Kenny · Marvin · Kevin · Ronald · Scott · Kelvin

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

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