Kenneth
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Handsome or born of fire
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Popularity: Ranked #294 in 2025 with 1,148 babies born.
History: Kenneth is the anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic 'Coinneach,' meaning handsome or fair one, or possibly from 'Cináed,' meaning born of fire. Kenneth MacAlpin is traditionally regarded as the first King of Scotland in the 9th century, uniting the Picts and Scots. The name has been used continuously in Scotland and spread throughout the English-speaking world, remaining popular through the 20th century.
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Kenneth? About 1 in 2,899 babies born in 2025 were named Kenneth, or roughly 3.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Kenneth
What does the name Kenneth mean?
Kenneth means “Handsome or born of fire” from Scottish Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Kenneth?
Kenneth has Scottish Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “Handsome or born of fire”.
How popular is Kenneth?
Kenneth ranked #294 in 2025 — given to 1,148 babies that year.
When was Kenneth most popular?
Kenneth peaked in 1957 with 28,060 babies registered that year.
Is Kenneth a boy or girl name?
Kenneth is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Kenneths in registered births are male.
Is the name Kenneth rising or falling in popularity?
Kenneth has fallen 51 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #243 in 2020 to #294 in 2025.
How long has Kenneth been recorded?
Kenneth appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.