Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Kennedi

Kennedi is an Americanized respelling of Kennedy. Kennedy is the transferred use of a Gaelic surname used in both Ireland and Scotland, originally spelled Cinnéidigh, and probably originating from a given name based on personal characteristics. The Gaelic words “cinn” means ‘head’ and “éidigh” is said to mean ‘ugly.’ We know it’s not the most pleasant of etymologies, but it’s probably the closest one to accuracy. Another variant translation, not quite as harsh, is ‘helmet-headed’, derived from the word “éide” (meaning ‘armour’). In any case, the name has persisted as a surname since medieval times and is still quite prevalent in Ireland. Kennedy mainly became used in the United States as a given name, first as a masculine name owing to the popularity of the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy. Since the 1990s however, Kennedy switched to being primarily female and Kennedi emerged as a new spelling.

All About the Baby Name – Kennedi

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME KENNEDI

The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done.  They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME KENNEDI

Kennedy first appeared on the American naming charts for boys in 1960, the year John F. Kennedy was elected to the presidency. It never really took off for boys and would ultimately fall off the charts in 2005. Part of the reason the name became unappealing for little boys was because it was hijacked by parents for their baby girls in the mid 1990s. Kennedy debuted on the female naming charts in 1994 and saw immediate success. Typical of American parents a new version of this popular girl’s name (Kennedi) appeared in 1998. It has been shadowing the trendiness of Kennedy but it is nowhere near as popular. In fact, 82% of the girls being born today get the Kennedy spelling while only 18% receive the kitschy Kennedi. Everyone appreciates the memory of Kennedy and the American days of Camelot, but the name’s meaning leaves a little to be desired. Either ugly-headed or helmet-headed is not the most attractive of connotations, so we suspect parents who like this name don’t place much value on the actual meanings. Kennedy and Kennedi seem to be divisive names – people either love it or hate it. We think it’ll be one of the names which defines a decade but may not have much staying power. The faster a name rises in popularity the faster it usually falls. We'll have to wait and see.

Quick Facts

ON KENNEDI

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

443

PRONUNCIATION:

KEN-ә-dee

SIMPLE MEANING:

Of the ugly head, helmet-headed

Characteristics

OF KENNEDI

Authoritative

Powerful

Tough

Tenacious

Wealthy

Problem-solver

Achiever

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Kennedi

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME KENNEDI

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Kennedi

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME KENNEDI

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Kennedi


Popular Songs

ON KENNEDI

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Kennedi


Famous People

NAMED KENNEDI

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Kennedi.

Children of Famous People

NAMED KENNEDI

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Kennedi

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME KENNEDI

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Kennedi