Kendra
knowledge — Associated with strength and feminine wisdom
American origin · Unisex name
0% boys100% girls
#741US 2023
379Births / yr
Falling
96.8kAll-time births
📅 Since 1936🏆 3 years in top 1000.22% of births at peak
How to pronounce Kendra
KENDR·uh
/ˈkɛndr.ə/ · stress on KENDR · 2 syllables
knowledge
Associated with strength and feminine wisdom · American origin

What does Kendra mean and where does it come from?

Kendra is a modern name that is generally regarded as a feminine variant of the name 'Ken.' It gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. The name is often associated with strength and feminine wisdom. Notable people with this name include Kendra Wilkinson, a reality televisi

Cultural significance
Kendra has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of knowledge.
Peak popularity
Reached #77 in 1987 — currently #741 in the US.
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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
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What middle names flow best with Kendra?

Kendra works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Kendra Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Kendra Rose
Floral · soft ending
Kendra Mae
Sweet · timeless
Kendra Claire
French influence · crisp
Kendra Jane
Literary · strong
Kendra Skye
Modern · airy feel
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Middle Names
The best middle names for Kendra
Browse ideas →

How popular is Kendra right now?

Declining — down 39 spots — currently #741 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 19402023#741 · Top 0.55%
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2021
2022
2023
YearUS RankBirthsvs Prior Year
2023#741379▼ down 39 · -10% births
2022#702420▼ down 53 · -9% births
2021#649460▼ down 97 · -14% births
2020#552534▼ down 210 · -44% births
2015#342961▼ down 135 · -36% births
2010#2071,496▲ up 55 · +20% births
2005#2621,243▼ down 76 · -28% births
2000#1861,730▼ down 53 · -27% births
1995#1332,372▼ down 16 · -15% births
1990#1172,788▲ up 37 · +52% births
1985#1541,840stable · +1% births
1980#1541,814▲ up 19 · +21% births
1975#1731,504▲ up 94 · +31% births
1970#2671,150▲ up 178 · +154% births
1965#445453

The story of Kendra

Kendra entered American naming records in 1936 and has been in use for over 88 years. Its peak popularity was #77 in 1987. A total of 96,750 babies have received this name. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #1843 in 1940 to #741 in 2023. Kendra is used for both genders: 100% female and 0% male.

Names that peaked alongside Kendra in 1987:

Kendra by decade

DecadeBirths
1930s33
1940s523
1950s1,568
1960s5,333
1970s15,756
1980s24,555
1990s24,031
2000s14,251
2010s10,166
2020s534

What are good nicknames for Kendra?

Common
KenKeEndra

Gender variants of Kendra

Kennet DANISHKenneth DANISHKen ENGLISHKendrick ENGLISHKenith ENGLISHKenneth ENGLISHKennith ENGLISHKenny ENGLISHKenrick ENGLISHCainneach IRISHCináed IRISHCionaodh IRISHKennet NORWEGIANKenneth NORWEGIANCináed SCOTTISHCoinneach SCOTTISHKenneth SCOTTISHKenny SCOTTISHKennet SWEDISHKenneth SWEDISHCynwrig ANCIENT CELTICEmmerich ANCIENT GERMANICHeimirich ANCIENT GERMANICHeinrich ANCIENT GERMANICHenricus ANCIENT GERMANICCenric ANGLO-SAXONCyneric ANGLO-SAXONHenrik ARMENIANEndika BASQUEEnric CATALANHenrik CROATIANHynek CZECHJindřich CZECHHenning DANISHHenriette DANISHHenrik DANISHHenrike DANISHDrika DUTCHHeike DUTCHHeiko DUTCHHein DUTCHHeintje DUTCHHendrik DUTCHHendrika DUTCHHendrikje DUTCHHendrina DUTCHHenk DUTCHHennie DUTCHHenny DUTCHHenricus DUTCHHenrietta DUTCHHenriëtte DUTCHHenriette DUTCHIna DUTCHJet DUTCHJetta DUTCHJette DUTCHRik DUTCHRika DUTCHAmerica ENGLISHAmery ENGLISHEmerson ENGLISHEmery ENGLISHEmmerson ENGLISHEmory ENGLISHEtta ENGLISHEttie ENGLISHHal ENGLISHHallie ENGLISHHank ENGLISHHarriet ENGLISHHarriett ENGLISHHarrietta ENGLISHHarriette ENGLISHHarris ENGLISHHarrison ENGLISHHarry ENGLISHHattie ENGLISHHatty ENGLISHHenderson ENGLISHHenrietta ENGLISHHenry ENGLISHHettie ENGLISHKenzie ENGLISHMackenzie ENGLISHMakenna ENGLISHMakenzie ENGLISHMckenna ENGLISHMckenzie ENGLISHPerry ENGLISHHendrik ESTONIANHarri FINNISHHeikki FINNISHHenna FINNISHHenri FINNISHHenrietta FINNISHHenriikka FINNISHHenrikki FINNISHRiika FINNISHRiikka FINNISHÉmeric FRENCHEnzo FRENCHHenri FRENCHHenriette FRENCHHeike FRISIANHeiko FRISIANAnri GEORGIANEmmerich GERMANHeiner GERMANHeinrich GERMANHeinrike GERMANHeinz GERMANHendrik GERMANHenning GERMANHenriette GERMANHenrik GERMANHenrike GERMANRike GERMANHenrietta HUNGARIANHenrik HUNGARIANImre HUNGARIANImrus HUNGARIANHinrik ICELANDICAnraí IRISHEinrí IRISHAmerigo ITALIANArrigo ITALIANEnrica ITALIANEnrico ITALIANEnzo ITALIANRico ITALIANIna LIMBURGISHHenrikas LITHUANIANHerkus LITHUANIANHeike LOW GERMANHeiko LOW GERMANHinnerk LOW GERMANHinrich LOW GERMANHerry MEDIEVAL ENGLISHHenning NORWEGIANHenriette NORWEGIANHenrik NORWEGIANHenrike NORWEGIANHenryk POLISHHenryka POLISHAmérica PORTUGUESEAmérico PORTUGUESEHenrique PORTUGUESEEanraig SCOTTISHHendry SCOTTISHHenrich SLOVAKImrich SLOVAKImriška SLOVAKHenrik SLOVENEAmérica SPANISHAmérico SPANISHEnrique SPANISHKike SPANISHQuique SPANISHHenning SWEDISHHenrietta SWEDISHHenrik SWEDISHHenrika SWEDISHHenrike SWEDISHRika SWEDISHHarri WELSHParry WELSH

Common questions about the name Kendra

What does the name Kendra mean?
Kendra means "knowledge" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Kendra?
Kendra is currently ranked #741 as a baby name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.
What is the cultural origin of Kendra?
Kendra originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Kendra?
Kendra is a two-syllable name pronounced K EH1 N D R AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Kendra more of a girl or boy name?
Kendra is a genuinely unisex name used for both boys and girls. The unisex quality makes it particularly versatile for modern families.