Kendra
“knowledge” — Associated with strength and feminine wisdom
American origin · Girl name
#849US 2025
320Births / yr
↓Falling
97.5kAll-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 #849 in the US.
How else can you spell Kendra?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
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 Leah
One syllable · timeless choice
Kendra Quinn
One syllable · timeless choice
Kendra Blair
One syllable · on the rise
Kendra Ruth
One syllable · timeless choice
Kendra Wren
One syllable · vintage charm
Kendra Faith
One syllable · vintage charm
How popular is Kendra right now?
Falling — down 163 spots — currently #849 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
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
Kendra peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 33 | |
| 1940s | 523 | |
| 1950s | 1,568 | |
| 1960s | 5,333 | |
| 1970s | 15,756 | |
| 1980s ★ | 24,555 | |
| 1990s | 24,031 | |
| 2000s | 14,251 | |
| 2010s | 10,166 | |
| 2020s | 1,269 |
What are good nicknames for Kendra?
Common
KenKeEndra
What names sound and feel like Kendra?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Kendra also consider these
How is Kendra written in other languages?
What are the boy versions 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 KENDR-uh. 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.
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