Kendrix

Meaning & origin

Kendrix is a modern respelling of Kendrick that has gained modest popularity in recent decades. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1971, but experienced a notable rise beginning in 1997, with its peak popularity occurring in 2024 when it reached its highest rank yet. Though still uncommon, with only about 1 in 16,424 boys receiving the name in 2025, Kendrix has a concentrated following in Southern states, particularly Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The name's trajectory suggests continued growth, aided by its similarity to the more familiar Kendrick but with a distinctive x-ending that aligns with contemporary naming trends.

Kendrix is a modern variant of the surname and given name Kendrick, which is of Welsh and English origin. The Welsh form Cynwrig derives from cyn ('chief') and gwr ('man') plus the suffix -ig, giving the sense 'chief man' or 'royal ruler'. In English, it also absorbed an Old English given name Cyneric, composed of cyne- ('royal') and ric ('power, rule'). The -x ending in Kendrix follows the trend of creative respellings popular in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States.