Kennedy
Irish girl's name meaning “helmeted head”
- Gender
- Girl
- Origin
- Irish
- Meaning
- helmeted head
- Syllables
- 3
- Letters
- 7
- US rank (2023)
- #72
- Born in 2023
- 3,074
- Peak year
- 2018 (#59)
Meaning & origin
Kennedy comes from the Irish Ó Cinnéidigh, 'descendant of Cinnéidigh' — from ceann ('head') plus a second element read as either 'helmeted' or 'ugly'. The Kennedy family made it a given name.
Is Kennedy an Irish name?
Yes — Kennedy is an Irish name meaning "helmeted head". Kennedy comes from the Irish Ó Cinnéidigh, 'descendant of Cinnéidigh' — from ceann ('head') plus a second element read as either 'helmeted' or 'ugly'. The Kennedy family made it a given name. You may also see it described as Gaelic or Celtic, which refer to the same root.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Kennedy ranked #72 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, 3,074 US girls were given the name Kennedy.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #59 in 2018
“Unranked” means Kennedy was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more girl names starting with K.
How to spell Kennedy
Kennedy is spelled K-E-N-N-E-D-Y — 7 letters and 3 syllables.
Kennedy: frequently asked questions
What does the name Kennedy mean?
Kennedy is a Irish name meaning "helmeted head". Kennedy comes from the Irish Ó Cinnéidigh, 'descendant of Cinnéidigh' — from ceann ('head') plus a second element read as either 'helmeted' or 'ugly'. The Kennedy family made it a given name.
Where does the name Kennedy come from?
Kennedy is of Irish origin. Kennedy comes from the Irish Ó Cinnéidigh, 'descendant of Cinnéidigh' — from ceann ('head') plus a second element read as either 'helmeted' or 'ugly'. The Kennedy family made it a given name.
Is Kennedy a boy or a girl name?
Kennedy is most commonly a girl's name.
How many babies are named Kennedy?
In 2023, 3,074 US girls were given the name Kennedy.
Is Kennedy a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Kennedy ranked #72 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
How do you spell Kennedy?
Kennedy is spelled K-E-N-N-E-D-Y — 7 letters.
How common is the name Kennedy?
In 2023, 3,074 US girls were given the name Kennedy. In the latest US data, Kennedy ranked #72 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is Kennedy an Irish name?
Yes — Kennedy is an Irish name meaning "helmeted head". Kennedy comes from the Irish Ó Cinnéidigh, 'descendant of Cinnéidigh' — from ceann ('head') plus a second element read as either 'helmeted' or 'ugly'. The Kennedy family made it a given name. You may also see it described as Gaelic or Celtic, which refer to the same root.
What does Kennedy mean in Irish?
In Irish, Kennedy means "helmeted head". Kennedy comes from the Irish Ó Cinnéidigh, 'descendant of Cinnéidigh' — from ceann ('head') plus a second element read as either 'helmeted' or 'ugly'. The Kennedy family made it a given name.
Is Kennedy a Gaelic name?
Kennedy is usually classified as Irish, and Gaelic belongs to that same tradition — so yes, it is commonly described as Gaelic too. It means "helmeted head".