Kendi: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#9,785

among girls · ↑122 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Kendi

How common

1 in 160,727

girls born in 2025

Peak year

2007

31 babies

All-time total

668

#10,062 all-time among girls

First recorded

1962

in Social Security records

Kendi popularity over time

668 babies have been named Kendi since 1962, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	17	–	17	2	–	#6,254
1970s	89	–	89	9	+424%	#4,126
1980s	91	–	91	9	+2%	#4,778
1990s	88	–	88	9	-3%	#6,434
2000s	162	–	162	16	+84%	#4,750
2010s	131	–	131	13	-19%	#5,905
2020s (to 2025)	66	24	90	15	+15%	#6,782

The story of Kendi

Kendi is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,785 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1962, 668 American babies have been named Kendi. Its peak came in 2007, when 31 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kendi stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Kendi?

The median living Kendi is about 21 years old; half are between 11 and 38. An estimated 700 people named Kendi are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Kendi year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	10	#9,785	–	–
2024	10	#9,907	–	–
2023	9	#10,757	–	–
2022	12	#8,794	9	#8,666
2021	8	#11,654	10	#7,885
2020	17	#6,782	5	#13,137
2019	15	#7,537	–	–
2018	21	#5,905	–	–
2017	13	#8,550	–	–
2016	7	#13,630	–	–
2015	12	#9,234	–	–
2014	10	#10,552	–	–
2013	18	#6,886	–	–
2012	8	#12,819	–	–
2011	13	#8,911	–	–
2010	14	#8,508	–	–
2009	13	#9,154	–	–
2008	22	#6,255	–	–
2007	31	#4,750	–	–
2006	13	#9,004	–	–
2005	20	#6,139	–	–
2004	12	#8,987	–	–
2003	16	#7,057	–	–
2002	11	#9,163	–	–
2001	14	#7,535	–	–
2000	10	#9,539	–	–
1995	8	#10,042	–	–
1990	9	#8,846	–	–
1985	6	#9,919	–	–
1980	6	#9,652	–	–
1975	5	#9,753	–	–
1970	10	#5,220	–	–
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Kendi, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Kendi?

The median living Kendi is about 21 years old. Half of all living Kendis are between 11 and 38 years old.

How many people named Kendi are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Kendi are alive in the United States, based on 668 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Kendi in 2025?

Kendi ranked #9,785 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kendi?

668 babies have been named Kendi in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kendi most popular?

Kendi peaked in 2007, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Kendi a boy or girl name?

Kendi is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 96% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kendi rising or falling?

Kendi is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Kendi

Names that sound and feel close to Kendi: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Kendi with similar names → More names starting with K →