Kennedy

Meaning: helmeted head (traditional) · Origin: Irish · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

From the Irish surname Ó Cinnéide, from a name usually explained as 'helmeted head' or 'ugly head'. Used for girls in the US since the 1990s.

Nicknames

Kenni, Kenzie

Variants & related names

Kenedy

Kennedy name art

A free preview of a printable “Kennedy” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Kennedy mean?

Kennedy means “helmeted head (traditional)”. It comes from Irish.

Is Kennedy a popular name?

Yes — Kennedy has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Kennedy?

Kenni, Kenzie.

What are other forms of Kennedy?

Kenedy.

Similar names

Sloane · Alana · Nora · Riley · Quinn · Maeve

More: names starting with K · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.