MallowbyNames

Kennie

KEN-ee · born of fire or handsome; often considered a diminutive of Kenneth or Kenna.

Peak popularity
1903
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Kennie since 1896

Babies named Kennie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kennie's real moment was 1903.

122537192019602000Most births 1960GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1890s05
1900s516
1910s1657
1920s667
1930s099
1940s69159
1950s64243
1960s52255
1970s27150
1980s29115
1990s1089
2000s543
2010s610
2020s380

Meaning & origin

Kennie is a rare unisex name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1896. Its peak year was 1903, reflecting a brief period of modest use in the early 20th century. Since then, the name has maintained a stable but very low frequency, never reaching the top 1000 rankings. As a diminutive of the Scottish classic Kenneth, it carries a heritage that appeals to families with Scottish ties or a fondness for vintage nickname names. Though the Social Security data shows no top states for concentration, Kennie's trajectory suggests it remains an uncommon choice, suitable for those seeking a name with historical roots and a friendly, approachable sound.

Kennie is typically a diminutive of Kenneth, which derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Cináed, meaning 'born of fire' or possibly 'handsome.' It has been used in Scotland and among Scottish diaspora as a familiar form of Kenneth, as well as a standalone name. Though less common in modern times, it retains a traditional, affectionate feel.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Kenny, Keni

Sibling names for Kennie

Names that share Kennie's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Kennie, our favorite little person.

K is for Kennie…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Kennie's letter becomes Kennie's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Kennie's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Kennie mean?
Kennie is typically a diminutive of Kenneth, which from Scottish Gaelic is thought to mean 'born of fire' or 'handsome.'
How popular is the name Kennie?
Kennie has never ranked in the top 1000 U.S. births in recent decades. Its peak year was 1903, and usage has remained very rare since.
Is Kennie a boy or girl name?
Kennie is unisex, though historically more common for boys as a nickname for Kenneth. It has also been used for girls as a variant of Kenna.