Kennedy
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Helmeted chief, armored head
Origin: Irish/Scottish
Popularity: Ranked #85 in 2025 with 2,933 babies born.
History: From the Irish surname Ó Cinnéidigh. President John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy political dynasty have made this one of America's most recognized surnames. It became a popular girls' name in the 1990s.
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Kennedy? About 1 in 1,103 babies born in 2025 were named Kennedy, or roughly 8.3 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Kennedy
What does the name Kennedy mean?
Kennedy means “Helmeted chief, armored head” from Irish/Scottish roots.
What is the origin of the name Kennedy?
Kennedy has Irish/Scottish origin. The traditional meaning is “Helmeted chief, armored head”.
How popular is Kennedy?
Kennedy ranked #85 in 2025 — given to 2,933 babies that year.
When was Kennedy most popular?
Kennedy peaked in 2015 with 4,522 babies registered that year.
Is Kennedy a boy or girl name?
Kennedy is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Kennedys in registered births are female.
Is the name Kennedy rising or falling in popularity?
Kennedy has fallen 13 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #72 in 2020 to #85 in 2025.
How long has Kennedy been recorded?
Kennedy appears in birth records across 108 years — from 1912 through 2025.