Alternatives to Kennedy
- Kehlani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea and sky"Description:
This name first entered the US Top 1000 in 2016, probably because of R&B singer Kehlani, whose full name is Kehlani Ashley Parrish. It was the fastest-rising girls' name of the year. Kehlani may be a variation of Kalani. Hawaiian or Hawaiian like names are particularly popular for girls, with the lani suffix appending to a range of prefixes.
- Kelechi
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"glorify God"Description:
A common unisex name in Nigeria. Kerry Washington used it as the middle name for her son Caleb.
- Kelila
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"laurel, crown"Description:
Kelila, which can also be spelled Kelilah, is a more distinctive and attractive Kayla relative.
- Kelula
- Kelynen
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"holly"Description:
Related to the Welsh name Celyn (and ultimately a distant cousin of the English word Holly), this makes a rare and modern-sounding nature name. Outside of Cornwall, it may be a struggle keeping the stress on the second syllable.
- Kemari
- Kendall
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"valley of the river Kent"Description:
Kendall, as used for a girl, was initially propelled by a soap opera character (Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kendall Hart in All My Children) and reality star and Kardashian sister Kendall Jenner.
- Kendera
- Kendra
Origin:
Feminization of Kenneth or EnglishMeaning:
"handsome or knowing"Description:
Kendra was once seen as a feminization of Kenneth -- but it's now firmly established as a standalone. American parents can't seem to make up their mind about it though: it was one of 2013's fastest-rising names, entering the Top 200 for the first time since 2000, but then it tumbled again.
- Kendria
- Kenley
Origin:
English "well-known clearing"Meaning:
"well-known clearing"Description:
Kenley is an area in the burrough of Croydon in South London. The name itself probably means "a well-known clearing." Both obvious nickname options are quite masculine (Ken or Lee) - we suggest the feminine Kendra for parents consider this name.
- Kenna
Origin:
Scottish, feminine form of KennethDescription:
Kenna is the Scottish version of Kendra, both of which are feminine versions of Kenneth. Used in the TV show Reign for one of the supporting characters.
- Kensington
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
Kensington is a place name with a number of referents; there are cities by the name in Australia, Canada, South Africa, the UK, and the US. As a girls' name, it entered the US Top 1000 in 2015, likely as a fresher way to get to nickname Kensie/Kenzie than Mackenzie, Mckenzie, or Makenzie.
- Kenya
Origin:
Place name, KikuyuMeaning:
"mountain of white"Description:
Kenya, a name borrowed from the East African nation and theoretically unisex, is now used mostly for girls. While it's had its ups and downs since entering the US Top 1000 in 1968, it currently ranks lower than spelling variant Kenia.
- Kerensa
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"love"Description:
Kerensa, forever romantic, is a rare Cornish name spelled with an 's' or 'z', the most modern of the Karen family. Kerensa (or Kerenza) has ties to the Welsh Cerys.
- Kerenza
- Keresen
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"cherry"Description:
A subtle Cornish fruit name meaning "cherry." Keresen has only been in use as a name in recent years, following the Cornish trend of adopting names from the dictionary.
- Kerrigan
Origin:
Irish surnameMeaning:
"son of Ciaragán"Description:
An attractive Irish surname that is used more often among girls — likely due to the feminine associations with Kerry.
- Kerrington
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"of Carenton"Description:
A lively unisex surname name ultimately derived from a French place name.
- Ketura