Declining since 1995, #1,267 for boys today.
Popularity of Kenny since 1908
Babies named Kenny per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 11 |
| 1910s | 85 |
| 1920s | 262 |
| 1930s | 1,310 |
| 1940s | 4,945 |
| 1950s | 8,389 |
| 1960s | 12,363 |
| 1970s | 4,789 |
| 1980s | 5,596 |
| 1990s | 5,314 |
| 2000s | 5,169 |
| 2010s | 2,741 |
| 2020s | 957 |
Meaning & origin
Kenny, a familiar short form of Kenneth, has been a consistently used name in the United States since records began in 1880. Its peak year was 1960, when it ranked among the top names. Since 1995, its popularity has been falling, but it remains a recognizable and friendly choice. In 2025, it ranked 1267, with approximately 1 in 11,020 newborn boys receiving the name. Top states for Kenny include Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York, reflecting its appeal across diverse regions. While its heyday in the 1960s saw it as a common choice, it has settled into a less frequent but enduring classic.
Kenny is a pet form of Kenneth, which derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Cináed, composed of 'cin' (born of) and 'áed' (fire), thus 'born of fire'. It has also been interpreted as 'handsome' from a Gaelic root. The name has been in use since medieval times, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, and became popular in the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
Where Kenny is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kenny” around the world
Where Kenny lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
60
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ken, Ken-Ken
Variants: Kenny
Sibling names for Kenny
Names that share Kenny's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Katie, Molly, Erin, Lauren, Casey, Candy, Connie, Mandy, Sandi, Debbi, Donya, Mandie, Mistie, Sandee, Sindy, Wende, Barbi, Candee, Deni, Kammi, Kandee, Mandee, Mindee, Mindie, Sendy, Cendy, Darleny, Denni, Jancy, Sande, Tamme, Yenny, Dedee, Jandi, Jany, Lendy, Myndi, Randye, Rendi, Rhandi, Rindy, Schelly, Wandy, Yeny
Brothers: Kevin, Sean, Ryan, Patrick, Connor, Denny, Donny, Lanny, Marty, Ricky, Ronnie, Ronney, Ranny, Rendy
Names like Kenny
Names whose popularity has moved with Kenny's over the last 50 years.
