Kennedy (also spelled Kenedi, Kennedie, Kennedi) () is a

unisex Unisex is an adjective indicating something is not sex-specific, i.e. is suitable for any type of sex. The term can also mean gender-blindness or gender neutrality. The term 'unisex' was coined as a neologism in the 1960s and was used fairly inf ...

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

in the

English language English is a West Germanic language of the Indo-European language family, with its earliest forms spoken by the inhabitants of early medieval England. It is named after the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples that migrated to the is ...

. The name is an

Anglicised Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influen ...

form of a masculine given name in the

Irish language Irish ( Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was ...

Etymology

According to

Patrick Hanks Patrick Hanks (born 24 March 1940) is an English lexicographer, corpus linguist, and onomastician. He has edited dictionaries of general language, as well as dictionaries of personal names. Background Hanks was educated at Ardingly College, ...

and Flavia Hodges, the given name ''Kennedy'' is an

form of ''Cinnéidigh'', a masculine given name in the

. This Irish name is composed of two elements: the first, ''ceann'', means "head"; the second, ''éidigh'', means "ugly".. According to Patrick Woulfe, who wrote in the early 19th century, ''Kennedy or Kynidi'' is an Anglicised form the Irish ''Cinnéididh'' and ''Cinnéidigh''. Woulfe derived these Irish names from two elements: the first, ''ceann'', meaning "a head"; the second, ''éide'', meaning "Armour"; hence the name can be thought to mean "helmet-headed".

Other languages

As a masculine given name, ''Kennedy'' can be rendered into Irish as ''Cinnéididh'' and ''Cinnéidigh'', and into

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

as ''Kinnedius''., which is a transcription of: . The masculine ''Kennedy'' can be rendered into

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

as ''Uarraig''. This name is

etymologically Etymology ()The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) – p. 633 "Etymology /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/ the study of the class in words and the way their meanings have changed throughout time". is the study of the history of the form of words an ...

unrelated to the English ''Kennedy'' and Irish ''Cinnéidigh''. ''Uarraig'' is composed of two

elements: the first, ''uall'', means "pride"; and the second, ''garg'', means "fierce". This Scottish Gaelic name is Anglicised ''Kennedy'' possibly because it was commonly borne by various families who bore the

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

Kennedy Kennedy may refer to: People * John F. Kennedy (1917–1963), 35th president of the United States * John Kennedy (Louisiana politician), (born 1951), US Senator from Louisiana * Kennedy (surname), a family name (including a list of persons with t ...

''. One such family, according tradition dating from the 18th century, descended from a man who bore a form of this name, and settled in

Lochaber Lochaber ( ; gd, Loch Abar) is a name applied to a part of the Scottish Highlands. Historically, it was a provincial lordship consisting of the parishes of Kilmallie and Kilmonivaig, as they were before being reduced in extent by the creation ...

in the 16th century.

Popularity and use

Throughout the

English-speaking world Speakers of English are also known as Anglophones, and the countries where English is natively spoken by the majority of the population are termed the '' Anglosphere''. Over two billion people speak English , making English the largest languag ...

, the given name ''Kennedy'' has sometimes been used in honour of

John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination i ...

, the 35th President of the United States, who was assassinated in 1963, and his brother

Robert F. Kennedy Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925June 6, 1968), also known by his initials RFK and by the nickname Bobby, was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 64th United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964, a ...

, who was assassinated in 1968.. In the

United States of America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...

, ''Kennedy'', has been among the top 1,000 names recorded in Social Security card applications, in the last 10 years, for both baby boys and girls. As a masculine name, ''Kennedy'' first appeared amongst the top 1,000 names in 1960, but fell out of the top 1,000 after 1968. The name did not re-enter the top 1,000 until 1994, where it stayed until 2005. At its height, ''Kennedy'' was ranked the 516th most popular masculine baby name in 1964. As a feminine name, ''Kennedy'' first appeared among the top 1,000 names in 1994, where it has remained ever since. Its peak it was ranked the 110th most popular feminine baby name in 2007. As of 2009 it was the 114th most popular.. In 1990, the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

undertook a study of the 1990 United States Census, and released a sample of data concerning the most popular names. According to this sample of 6.3 million people (who had 5,494 unique first names), ''Kennedy'' did not even appear among the 4,275 feminine names, or the 1,219 masculine names..

Popularity charts

People

Notable people with the given name or nickname Kennedy include:

Males with the name

Kennedy Agyapong Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (born on June 16, 1960) is a Ghanaian politician and businessman who represents Assin Central in parliament as a member of the New Patriotic Party. He was first elected as a member of parliament in 2000 to the seat of A ...

(born 1960), Ghanaian politician and businessman * Ken Anderson (wrestler) (born 1976), known professionally as Mr. Kennedy, American professional wrestler *

Kennedy Ashia Kennedy Ashia is a Ghanaian professional footballer. He was part of the Ghana national U-20 team that won silver at the 2013 African Youth Championships and bronze at the 2013 FIFA U-20 Tournament played in Turkey. He plays as an attacking midf ...

(born 1993), Ghanaian professional football player *

Kennedy Baker Kennedy Baker (born May 10, 1996) is a retired American collegiate and artistic gymnast. She competed as an elite gymnast from 2009 through 2013 and has since retired. She had competed in collegiate gymnastics for the Florida Gators. Career ...

(born 1996), American former gymnast *

Kennedy Bakircioglu Kennedy Bakircioglu (born 2 November 1980) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is best remembered for his time with Hammarby IF, with whom he won the 2001 Allsvenskan and 2014 Superettan titles. He also re ...

(born 1980), Swedish former football player * Kennedy Asamoah Boateng (born 1989), Ghanaian professional football player * Kennedy Kofi Boateng (born 1993), Ghanaian professional football player *

Kennedy Brooks Kennedy Brooks (born October 8, 1998) is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at Oklahoma. Early years Brooks attended Mansfield High School in Ma ...

(born 1998), American football player *

Kennedy Francis Burns Kennedy Francis Burns (January 8, 1842 – June 23, 1895) was a Canadian businessman and politician of the Liberal party. Biography Born a Roman Catholic in Thomastown, Republic of Ireland, he emigrated to British North America. He worked a ...

(1842–1895), Canadian politician and businessman * Kennedy Chandler (born 2002), American basketball player * Kennedy Chihuri (born 1969), Zimbabwean former football player * Reuben Asberry Jr., professionally known as

Kennedy Davenport Reuben Asberry Jr., better known by the stage name Kennedy Davenport (born September 9, 1980), is a drag queen, television personality, and dancer from Dallas, Texas, who came to international attention on the seventh season of ''RuPaul's Drag ...

, American drag queen * Kennedy Edwin (born 1976), Malaysian musician * Kennedy Eriba (born 1990), Nigerian professional football player * Kennedy William Gordy (born 1964), professionally known as Rockwell, American former singer *

Kennedy Graham Kennedy Gollan Montrose Graham (born 1946) is a New Zealand politician and former Member of Parliament for the Green Party. He has served in the New Zealand Foreign Service for sixteen years, and lectured at the University of Canterbury and Vi ...

(born 1946), New Zealand politician *

Kennedy Hinkson Kennedy Hinkson (born 21 February 1986), is a professional football player who plays for W Connection F.C. of Trinidad and Tobago, and representing the Grenadian national team. He was called up and debuted internationally on 16 November 2018 d ...

(born 1986), Trinidad and Tobago professional football player *

Kennedy Igboananike Kennedy Igboananike (born 26 February 1989) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Swedish club IFK Haninge. Career Sweden Igboananike began his career with Dynamos Football Academy. He joined Djurgårdens IF in 2007 ...

(born 1989), Nigerian professional football player * Kennedy Ihenacho (born 1990), Nigerian professional football player * Kennedy Izuka, American soccer player *

Kennedy Jones (journalist) William Kennedy Jones (4 May 1865 – 20 October 1921) was a British journalist, editor, businessman, newspaper manager and Member of Parliament. Early years Born in Glasgow, "K.J." (as he was known to his friends) was educated at a local hi ...

(1865–1921), British journalist *

Kennedy Jones (musician) Kennedy Jones or Jonesey (1 August 1900 – 6 September 1990) was an American guitarist and music writer. He was born on a farm in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He received his inspiration from his mother Alice who played several instrumen ...

(1900–1990), American musician * Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo (born 1987), Kenyan politician and lawyer *

Kennedy Kanyanta Kennedy Kanyanta (born April 10, 1979 in Mufulira, Copperbelt) is a Zambian boxer who won the 2002 Commonwealth Games in the men's flyweight division and bronze at the 2007 AllAfrica Games as an amateur. Amateur At the Olympics 2000 he had a bye ...

(born 1979), Zambian professional boxer *

Kennedy Katende Kennedy Katende (born 15 March 1985) is an Ugandan boxer from Kampala who qualified for the 2008 Olympics in the light-heavyweight division. His second place behind Kenneth Egan was good enough, and he benefitted from his compatriot Badou Jack' ...

(born 1985), Ugandan-Swedish amateur boxer * Kennedy Kimwetich (born 1973), Kenyan former runner *

Kennedy Kithuka Kennedy Kithuka (born June 4, 1989) was a Kenyan cross country and track runner for Texas Tech under head coach Wes Kittley. Career High school In 2007, Kennedy Kithuka ran 9:00 3000 metres 4:20 1500 metres 15:10 5000 metres 30:20 10,000 metr ...

(born 1989), Kenyan-American runner * Kennedy Lindsay (1927–1997), British politician *

Kennedy Macdonald Thomas Kennedy Macdonald (6 April 1847 – 17 October 1914), known as Kennedy Macdonald or Kennedy Mac, was a 19th-century New Zealand Liberal Party, Liberal Party Member of Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand. Early life Macdonald was born ...

(1847–1914), New Zealand politician * Kennedy Malunga (born 1970), Malawian professional football player * Kennedy McArthur (1881–1960), known as

Ken McArthur Kennedy Kane "Ken" McArthur (February 10, 1881 – June 13, 1960) is most noted as a track and field athlete and winner of the marathon at the 1912 Summer Olympics. Biography Born in Dervock, County Antrim, Ireland, McArthur was recognise ...

, Irish track and field athlete *

Kennedy McIntosh Kennedy McIntosh (January 21, 1949 – March 6, 2009 Kennedy McKinney Kennedy McKinney (born January 10, 1966) is an American former professional boxer, who won the bantamweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. As a professional, he won the IBF and WBO super bantamweight titles. Military service McKinne ...

(born 1966), American former professional boxer *

Kennedy Meeks Kennedy Rashod Meeks (born February 5, 1995) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Cholet Basket of the LNB Pro A. He played college basketball for North Carolina. He is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. High sch ...

(born 1995), American professional basketball player *

Kennedy Moretti Kennedy Moretti (born 1966) is a Brazilian pianist and music professor. Biography Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Kennedy Moretti studied piano at the São Paulo University and later at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music (Budapest, Hungary) and in ...

(born 1966), Brazilian pianist *

Kennedy Mudenda Kennedy Mudenda (born 13 January 1988) is a Zambian international footballer who plays as a midfielder for Power Dynamos. Mudenda has made several appearances for the Zambia national football team, playing for the side that reached the finals of ...

(born 1988), Zambian professional football player * Kennedy Mweene (born 1984), Zambian professional football player * Kennedy Nagoli (born 1973), Zimbabwean former professional football player * Kennedy Nketani (born 1984), Zambian professional football player *

Kennedy Nkeyasen Kennedy Nkeyasen (born April 7, 1976) is a former free safety (converted from running back) who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Nkeyasen was drafted out of college by Saskatchewan (18th overall) in 1999. ...

(born 1976), Ghanaian former professional soccer player *

Kennedy Ugoala Nwanganga Kennedy Ugoala Nwanganga (born 15 August 1990) is a Nigerian Association football, footballer, who is currently playing for K.V.K. Beringen, Beringen. Career The Veikkausliiga champions FC Inter Turku have signed Nwanganga, from NAF Rockets FC. ...

(born 1990), Nigerian professional football player * Kennedy Osei Nyarko (born 1979), Ghanaian politician * Kennedy Ochieng (born 1971), Kenyan former sprinter *

Kennedy Odede Kennedy Odede is a Kenyan social entrepreneur and author. Odede is the co-founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), a movement based in Nairobi, Kenya, and New York, USA. Odede was awarded the 2010 Echoing Green Fellowship and ...

, Kenyan entrepreneur *

Kennedy Mong'are Okong'o Kennedy Mong'are Okong'o (born 1 March 1969) is the first and immediate former Senator of Nyamira County, Kenya. He was elected Senator of Nyamira County under Ford Kenya which was part of the CORD Alliance. He won the Nyamira seat by 49,615 v ...

(born 1969), Kenyan politician *

Kennedy Okonkwo Kennedy Okonkwo (born 12 October 1977) is a Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and real-estate entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Nedcomoaks Limited. Early life and education Kennedy hails from Ojoto, Anambra State. Kennedy was bor ...

(born 1977), Nigerian businessman * Kennedy Omogi (born 1983) * Kennedy Ondiek (1966–2011), Kenyan runner * Kennedy J. P. Orton (1872–1930), British chemist *

Kennedy Osei Kennedy Osei (born 21 October 1966) is a retired Ghanaian middle-distance runner who specialized in the 800 metres. He won the bronze medal at the 1991 All-Africa Games. He also competed at the World Championships in 1993 and 1997 as well as the W ...

(born 1966), Ghanaian former runner *

Kennedy Otieno Kennedy Otieno Obuya (born 11 March 1972), also known as Kennedy Otieno, is a former Kenyan international cricketer. A right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, Otieno is the brother of fellow internationals Collins Obuya, Collins and David Obuya. ...

(born 1972), Kenyan former professional cricketer *

Kennedy Polamalu Kennedy Polamalu (born November 22, 1963) is an American football coach and former player who currently is the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He most recently served as the running backs coach ...

(born 1963), American football coach and former college football player * Kennedy L. Potter (died 1933), American politician * Kennedy J. Reed, American physicist *

Kennedy Russell Kennedy Russell (15 September 1883 – 1 March 1954) was a British composer of film scores. He was employed by British National Films during the Second World War, and died aged 70 in 1954.McFarlane p.181 Filmography * ''Jimmy Boy'' (1935) * '' ...

(1883–1954), British composer *

Kennedy Simmonds Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds, KCMG (born 12 April 1936), is a Saint Kittitian and Nevisian politician who served as the first prime minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis from 1983 to 1995. Life and career Simmonds was born in Basseterre on 12 Apri ...

(born 1936), Saint Kitts and Nevis politician *

Kennedy St-Pierre Joseph Kennedy St-Pierre (born 23 October 1992) is a Mauritian boxer who represented Mauritius at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he competed in the men's heavyweight competition. He is a two time African Games gold medalist ...

(born 1992), Mauritian professional boxer *

Kennedy Stewart (Canadian politician) Edward Charles Kennedy Stewart (born November 8, 1966) is a Canadian politician and academic who served as the 40th mayor of Vancouver from 2018 to 2022. He previously was the member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Burnaby—Douglas (2011 ...

(born 1966), Canadian politician * Kennedy Stewart (Irish politician) (1882–1964), Irish politician * Kennedy Thomson (1936–1996), British television presenter *

Kennedy Trevaskis Sir Gerald Kennedy Nicholas Trevaskis, (1 January 1915 – 14 March 1990) was a British colonial official and army officer. He served as High Commissioner of Aden from 1963 to 1965.Anthony d'Avray, 'Trevaskis, Sir (Gerald) Kennedy Nicholas (1915� ...

(1915–1990), British colonial official and army officer *

Kennedy Tsimba Kennedy Chiedza Tsimba (Zimbabwean pronunciation: Shining Light; born 23 July 1974) is a 2012 World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, South African professional Rugby coach and former player who is the current Director of Rugby at St Alban's College ...

(born 1974), South African professional rugby coach and former player * Kennedy Venkersammy (born 1951), Guyanese former professional cricketer * Kennedy John Victor (born 1966), professionally known as Vikram, Indian actor *

Kennedy Winston Kennedy Lawrence Winston (born July 29, 1984) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Club Atlético Peñarol (Mar del Plata), Club Atlético Peñarol of the Liga Nacional de Básquet. He is a former college basketball ...

(born 1984), American professional basketball player *

Kennedy Wong Kennedy Wong Ying-ho BBS, JP (born 23 February 1963 in Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong solicitor. He is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong. He was also the member of the Provisional Legislative Council which existed from 1996 to 98 and co ...

(born 1963), Hong Kong solicitor

Females with the name

Kennedy Burke Kennedy Valentine Burke (born February 14, 1997) is an American professional basketball player. She was drafted by the Dallas Wings in the 2019 WNBA draft, and has played for the Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm, and the Washington Mystics in the WN ...

(born 1997), American professional basketball player *

Kennedy Faulknor Kennedy Jade Faulknor (born June 30, 1999) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a centre-back for Minnesota Aurora. In 2015, she represented the Canadian national team, where, at the age of 16, she was the youngest centre-back to ever pla ...

(born 1999), Canadian soccer player * Kennedy Fraser (born 1948), American writer *

Kennedy Goss Kennedy Goss (born August 19, 1996) is a Canadian competitive swimmer. Goss won 7 medals at the 2013 Canada Games, including 5 gold. In 2016, she was named to Canada's Olympic team for the 2016 Summer Olympics as part of the 4x200 metre freestyl ...

(born 1996), Canadian competitive swimmer * Kennedy Holmes, American singer *

Kennedy Marchment Kennedy Marchment (born December 6, 1996) is a Canadian ice hockey forward, currently playing with the Connecticut Whale of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). Playing career Across 142 NCAA games with the St. Lawrence Saints women's ice h ...

(born 1996), Canadian professional ice hockey player *

Kennedy McMann Kennedy Paige McMann (born October 30, 1996) is an American actress known for portraying the character Nancy Drew in the 2019 television series of the same name. Early life McMann was born in Holland, Michigan, the daughter of Matthew and author ...

(born 1996), American actress * Lisa Kennedy Montgomery (born 1972), known mononymously as

, American political commentator * Kennedy Summers (born 1987), American model and actress