Holding steady, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Kendi since 1962
Babies named Kendi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 89 |
| 1980s | 91 |
| 1990s | 88 |
| 2000s | 162 |
| 2010s | 131 |
| 2020s | 66 |
Meaning & origin
Kendi is a rare modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1962. It has never achieved widespread popularity: in its peak year of 2007, it remained low in usage, and by 2025 it ranked 9,457th with roughly 1 in 160,727 newborns receiving the name. Its trajectory has been consistently stable, with no strong regional concentration in any state. Lacking a clear etymology, Kendi is best understood as a modern coinage, possibly influenced by the fashionable -i ending. It remains an uncommon choice, rarely encountered outside of birth records.
Kendi first appeared in the United States in the 1960s, with no clear derivation from established names or words. It may be a modern coinage inspired by the -i ending fashionable in the late 20th century, or a surname transferred to a first name. Its use has remained rare and stable.
Sibling names for Kendi
Names that share Kendi's style, for a brother or sister.
