Kendi
Every Kendi since 1962 — 668 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.