Declining since 1991.
Popularity of Kenard since 1919
Babies named Kenard per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1991, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kenard's real moment was 1981.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 26 |
| 1940s | 38 |
| 1950s | 46 |
| 1960s | 74 |
| 1970s | 110 |
| 1980s | 142 |
| 1990s | 162 |
| 2000s | 102 |
| 2010s | 49 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Kenard is a name that saw its peak usage in 1981, according to U.S. Social Security data, with no recent rank data available. Its trajectory has been falling since 1991, indicating a decline in popularity over the past few decades. The name first appeared in records as early as 1919, suggesting a 20th-century origin. As a modern coinage, Kenard's etymology is speculative, possibly blending elements from established names like Kenneth and Leonard. Despite its lack of a clear meaning, the name carries a distinctive sound that appealed to parents in the 1980s. No top-state concentration has been recorded, but its use has been widespread. Kenard remains a rare choice today, with no current one-in-n estimate available.
Kenard is likely a modern coinage, possibly derived from Kenneth (of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning 'born of fire' or 'handsome') blended with the common suffix '-ard' found in names like Leonard or Bernard. Alternatively, it may be a variant of Kenward, an English surname. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1919 but saw its peak in 1981, suggesting a rise in use during the late 20th century as a distinctive given name.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ken, Kenny
Variants: Kenward
Sibling names for Kenard
Names that share Kenard's style, for a brother or sister.
