Kenny is a

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 ...

, a

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 ...

, and a diminutive of several different given names. In

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

, the surname is an

Anglicisation 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 ...

of the Irish ''Ó Cionnaith'', also spelt ''Ó Cionnaoith'' and ''Ó Cionaodha'', meaning "descendant of Cionnaith". It was once popular in the 16th-century in

Leinster Leinster ( ; ga, Laighin or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, situated in the southeast and east of Ireland. The province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige. Following the 12th-century Norman invasion of Ir ...

Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...

, parts of

Connacht Connacht ( ; ga, Connachta or ), is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, Conmhaícne, and Delbhn ...

and in

County Tyrone County Tyrone (; ) is one of the six Counties of Northern Ireland, counties of Northern Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the thirty-two traditional Counties of Ireland, counties of Ireland. It is no longer used as an admini ...

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...

, and was Anglicised as O'Kenna, O'Kenny, O'Kinney, Kenna, Kenny, and Kinney amongst other variations. One bearer of the name was

Cainnech of Aghaboe Cainnech of Aghaboe (515/16–600), also known as Saint Canice in Ireland, Saint Kenneth in Scotland, Saint Kenny and in Latin Sanctus Canicus, was an Irish abbot, monastic founder, priest and missionary during the early medieval period. Cainne ...

, better known in English as Saint Canice - a sixth-century Irish priest and missionary from near

Dungiven Dungiven () is a small town, townland and civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is near the main A6 Belfast to Derry road, which bypasses the town. It lies where the rivers Roe, Owenreagh and Owenbeg meet at the foot of the B ...

, after whom the city and county of

Kilkenny Kilkenny (). is a city in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the South-East Region and in the province of Leinster. It is built on both banks of the River Nore. The 2016 census gave the total population of Kilkenny as 26,512. Kilken ...

is also named. The Irish form ''Cill Chainnigh'' means "Church of Canice". It is thought that the ''Ó Cionnaith'' sept was part of the

Uí Maine U or u, is the twenty-first and sixth-to-last letter and fifth vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''u'' (pro ...

kingdom, based in

. Within this area, the name is associated traditionally with counties

Galway Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a City status in Ireland, city in the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lo ...

and

Roscommon Roscommon (; ) is the county town and the largest town in County Roscommon in Ireland. It is roughly in the centre of Ireland, near the meeting of the N60, N61 and N63 roads. The name Roscommon is derived from Coman mac Faelchon who built ...

. Kenny is ranked at number 76 in the list of the most common surnames in Ireland. Other spellings include O'Kenny, Kenney, Kennie, Kinnie and Kinny. The given name, Kenny, is most often used as a short form of the name Kenneth and a diminutive form of Ken.

Given name

(515/516–600), also known as Saint Kenny, Irish saint, abbot, monastic founder, priest and missionary *

Kenny Adeleke Andrew Kehinde "Kenny" Adeleke (born February 10, 1983) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player who has played 12 seasons in the NBA, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In 2006–07 he was the top rebounder in the Israel Basketball P ...

(born 1983), Nigerian basketball player * Kenny Anderson (basketball) (born 1970), retired basketball player *

Kenny Athiu Kenjok "Kenny" Athiu (born 5 August 1992) is a South Sudanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Cambodian Premier League club Visakha and the South Sudan national football team. Club career Youth Athiu joined South Springvale SC ...

, association footballer * Kenny Baker (English actor) (1934–2016), English actor, best known to portray R2-D2 in the

Star Wars ''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera multimedia franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop-culture Cultural impact of S ...

franchise. * Kenny Ball (1930–2013), English jazz musician * Kenny Bell (born 1992), American football player * Kenny Bernstein (born 1944), NHRA driver * Kenny Black (born 1963), Scottish footballer * Kenny Booker, American basketball player * Kenny Bräck (born 1966), former Swedish IndyCar driver * Kenny Chesney (born 1968), American country music singer, songwriter and record producer * Kenny Clarke (1914–1985), American jazz drummer and bandleader *

Kenny Dalglish Sir Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish (born 4 March 1951) is a Scottish former association football, football player and manager (association football), manager. During his career, he made 338 appearances for Celtic F.C., Celtic and 515 for Liverpoo ...

, Scottish soccer player and manager * Kenny Delmar (1910–1984), American actor and voice artist *

Kenny Dillingham Kenny Dillingham (born April 28, 1990) is an American football coach who is currently the head coach at Arizona State University. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon, Florida State University, Auburn ...

(born 1990), American football coach *

Kenny Dykstra Kenneth George Doane (born March 16, 1986) is an American retired professional wrestler signed to WWE as a producer and as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center. During his past time in WWE, he was known as Kenny Dykstra and Kenny as a member ...

, American professional wrestler *

Kenny Easley Kenneth Mason Easley Jr. (born January 15, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a strong safety in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the 1980s. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins ...

, American football player *

Kenny Easterday Kenneth Easterday (December 7, 1973 – February 12, 2016) was an American man born with the rare disability, sacral agenesis. To improve his mobility, his legs were amputated at the hip when he was six months old. Life and career He was born in ...

(1973–2016), American man with sacral agenesis, known as "Man with half a body" * Kenny Edwards (rugby league) (born 1989), New Zealand Rugby League player *

Kenny Everett Kenny Everett (born Maurice James Christopher Cole; 25 December 1944 – 4 April 1995) was an English comedian, radio disc jockey and television presenter. After spells on pirate radio and Radio Luxembourg in the mid-1960s, he was one of the fi ...

(1944–1995), English disc-jockey and comedian * Kenny Fields (born 1962), American basketball player *

Kenny Golladay Kenneth Golladay (born November 3, 1993) is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota and Northern Illinois and was drafted by the Detroit Lions ...

(born 1993), American football player *

Kenny Håkansson Kenny Håkansson is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist for the Hellacopters. The Hellacopters were founded by Håkansson's childhood friend Nicke Andersson as a side project to his role as a drummer in the heavy metal band Entombed. ...

, Swedish musician *

Kenny Heitz Kenneth Robert Heitz (June 25, 1947 – July 9, 2012) was an American basketball player and attorney. He won three collegiate national championships at UCLA from 1967 to 1969, one of the first players in NCAA history to do so. Heitz was a 6'3" g ...

(1947–2012), American basketball player * Kenny Hotz, Canadian filmmaker and star of ''Kenny vs. Spenny'' *

Kenny Hughes Kenneth Hughes is an actor, dancer, film director, director and writer working in film, TV and stage internationally. He should not be confused with Ken Hughes (the now-deceased director of such movies as ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (film), Chitt ...

, actor, dancer, director and writer *

Kenny Irwin Jr. Kenneth Dale Irwin Jr. (August 5, 1969 – July 7, 2000) was an American stock car racing driver. He had driven in all three NASCAR national touring series, and had two total victories, both in the Craftsman Truck Series (today Camping World Truck ...

, former NASCAR driver *

Kenny Jackett Kenneth Francis Jackett (born 5 January 1962) is a former professional football player and manager, who is currently Director of Football at club Gillingham. A skilful left-footed player, able to play in defence or midfield, Jackett was cappe ...

, English football player and manager *

Kenny W. James , or King Koopa, is a fictional character, the primary antagonist in Nintendo's ''Mario'' franchise, and the arch-nemesis of Mario. In Japan, the character bears the title of . Bowser is the leader of the turtle-like Koopa race. Despite ...

, American voice actor *

Kenny Kadji Kenneth Kadji (born May 19, 1988) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player who last played for Hapoel Holon of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He played college basketball for the University of Florida and University of Miami. High ...

(born 1988), Cameroonian basketball player in the

Israeli Basketball Premier League Ligat HaAl ( he, ליגת העל, lit., ''Supreme League or Premier League''), or the Israeli Basketball Premier League, is the top-tier level league of professional sports, professional competition in Israeli sports club, club basketball, making ...

Kenny Koplove Kenneth Scott Koplove (born August 2, 1993) is an American right-handed professional baseball pitcher who has played internationally with the Israel national baseball team and is currently a free agent. In high school, as a senior Koplove was nam ...

, American baseball player * Kenny Lawler (born 1994), American football player *

Kenny Layne Kenneth Layne (born July 22, 1981) is an American professional wrestler, actor, dancer, and television personality better known by his ring name, Kenny King. He currently wrestles for Impact Wrestling, where he is a member of Honor No More. He i ...

(born 1981), American professional wrestler known also by ring-name Kenny King * Kenny Liu, member of Mandopop boy band

Top Combine Top Combine is a Mandopop boy band. The group formed in 2007 with the members Bird Zhang, Mars Ma, Kenny Liu, Caesar Li, and Tanas Kim. All were professionally trained in singing, dancing, modeling, and language. With the exception of Tanas, the ot ...

* Kenny Lofton, baseball outfielder * Kenny Loggins (born 1948), American singer and songwriter *

Kenny Lowe Kenny Lowe (born 6 November 1961) is an English association football manager and former player. He is the current manager of Australian side Perth RedStar. Kenny played for ten clubs in England, and had a stint in Australia also. He later mana ...

, English football manager *

Kenny Mayne Kenny Mayne (born ) is an American sports media personality who is best known for his work on ESPN from 1994 to 2021. He appeared as host of ''Kenny Mayne's Wider World of Sports'' on ESPN.com, and he appeared as a weekly contributor to ''Sund ...

, American sports journalist *

Kenny Middlemiss Kenny Middlemiss (also known as Ken and Kenneth Middlemiss; born 19 June 1964) is a former Scottish badminton Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger t ...

(born 1964), Scottish badminton player * Kenny Miller, Scottish footballer *

Kenny Moore Kenneth Clark Moore (December 1, 1943 – May 4, 2022) was an American Olympic road running athlete and journalist. He ran the marathon at the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics, finishing fourth at the latter. Early life Moore was born in Portland ...

, American athlete *

Kenny Moore (American football) Kenneth Moore Jr. (born August 23, 1995) is an American football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Valdosta State, and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted ...

, American football player * Kenny O'Dell (1944–2018), American country music singer and songwriter *

Kenny Okoro Chibuikem Kenneth Okoro (born October 18, 1989) is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Wake Forest University and attended James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has ...

, American football player * Kenny Omega (born 1982), ring name of Canadian-born professional wrestler Tyson Smith *

Kenny Ortega Kenneth John Ortega (born April 18, 1950) is an American filmmaker, touring manager, and choreographer. He is known for directing the films '' Newsies'', '' Hocus Pocus'', ''The Cheetah Girls 2'', ''High School Musical'', ''Michael Jackson's Th ...

(born 1950), film director and producer * Kenny Perry, American professional golfer * Kenny Price (1931–1987), American country music singer-songwriter *

Kenny Roberts Kenneth Leroy Roberts (born December 31, 1951, in Modesto, California) is an American former professional motorcycle racer and racing team owner. In 1978, he became the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship. He ...

, former motorcycle racer * Kenny Robinson, multiple people *

Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted mo ...

(1938–2020), American country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer * Kenny Sebastian, Indian comedian *

Kenny Stucker Kenny Stucker (born June 11, 1970) is a former American football placekicker who played seven seasons in the Arena Football League with the Milwaukee Mustangs, Chicago Rush, New York Dragons and Tampa Bay Storm. He played college football at ...

, (born 1970) American football player *

Kenny Taylor (basketball) Kenny Bernard Taylor (born December 6, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player for the Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese bj league. He played college basketball for Baylor University and University of Texas. College s ...

, (born 1992) basketball player for the Akita Northern Happinets of Japan *

Kenny Tran Phuong "Kenny" Tran is a Vietnamese American professional poker player from Arcadia, California who won the 2008 World Series of Poker $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em World Championship. Tran was born in Vietnam and gives 10% of his winnings ...

, a professional Vietnamese American poker player * Kenny Vaccaro (born 1991), American football player * Kenny Wallace (born 1974), American NASCAR driver * Kenny Washington (basketball), American basketball player and coach *

Kenny Willekes Kenny Willekes (born July 22, 1997) is an American football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State. Early years Willekes attended NorthPointe Christian High Sc ...

(born 1997), American football player *

Kenny Wooten Kenneth Wooten Jr. (born April 17, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks. Early life and high school career Wooten was born and grew up in S ...

(born 1998), American basketball player *

Kenny Yeboah Kenneth Yeboah (born October 30, 1998) is an American football tight end for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple and Ole Miss. Early years Yeboah was born in Providence, Rhode Island. ...

(born 1998), American football player * Kenny Young (American football) (born 1994) American football player

Surname

Anthony Kenny Sir Anthony John Patrick Kenny (born 16 March 1931) is a British philosopher whose interests lie in the philosophy of mind, ancient and scholastic philosophy, the philosophy of religion, and the philosophy of Wittgenstein of whose literary esta ...

(born 1931), English philosopher * Bernard Kenny (born 1946), American politician *

Bill Kenny (Australian footballer) William John Kenny (30 July 1897 – 29 December 1978) was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Aust ...

(born 1897), Australian rules footballer *

Bill Kenny (English footballer) Bill Kenny is an English retired professional soccer Striker (association football), forward who played at least one season in the American Soccer League (1933-1983), American Soccer League. In 1977, he scored seven goals in twenty games for th ...

, played at least one season in the American Soccer League * Bill Kenny (singer) (1914–1978), African-American singer with The Ink Spots * Brett Kenny, Australian rugby league footballer *

Brian Kenny (disambiguation) Brian Kenny may refer to: *Brian Kenny (artist) (born 1982), American multimedia artist *Brian Kenny (British Army officer) (1934–2017), British Army General *Brian Kenny (politician), Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswi ...

Charles Kenny Charles Francis Kenny (June 23, 1898 – January 20, 1992) was an American composer, lyricist, author, and violinist. His hit songs include "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky", "Love Letters in the Sand", "Laughing at Life", and "Because It's Your ...

(1898–1992), American composer and lyricist *

Charles Kenny (cricketer) Charles John Michael Kenny (19 May 1929 – 9 September 1996) was an English cricketer active from 1950 to 1962 who played for Cambridge University and Essex. Kenny was born in Wallington, Surrey and died in Chiddingfold. He appeared in 40 firs ...

(1929–96), English *

David Kenny (disambiguation) David Kenny may refer to: * David Kenny (footballer, born 1891) (1891–1978), Scottish footballer (Grimsby Town) * David Kenny (footballer, born 1962), Scottish footballer (Partick Thistle) * David Kenny (journalist), Irish journalist, author and ...

Enda Kenny Enda Kenny (born 24 April 1951) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017, Leader of Fine Gael from 2002 to 2017, Minister for Defence from May to July 2014 and 2016 to 2017, Leader of the Opposition from ...

(born 1951), Irish politician, leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach *

Enda Kenny (singer) Enda Kenny is an Irish-born Australian folk-singer and songwriter. Kenny was born in Dublin, and migrated to Melbourne in 1987. He released his debut album, ''Twelve Songs'', in 1994. Though self-recorded and self-released, the album received gen ...

, Irish-born Australian folksinger and songwriter *

Elizabeth Kenny Sister Elizabeth Kenny (20 September 1880 – 30 November 1952) was a self-trained Australian bush nurse who developed an approach to treating polio that was controversial at the time. Her method, promoted internationally while working in Austra ...

(1880–1952), unaccredited Australian nurse whose controversial treatment of polio victims became the foundation of physical therapy * Gerard Kenny, British-based American composer, pianist and singer *

Henry Kenny Henry Frances Kenny (7 September 1913 – 25 September 1975) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance from 1973 to 1975. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1954 to 1975. He was the fathe ...

(1913–1975), Irish politician and Gaelic footballer *

Henry Kenny (Australian politician) Henry Edward Kenny (1 March 1853 – 25 August 1899) was an Australian newspaper proprietor and politician who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1897 to 1899, representing the seat of North Murchison. Kenny wa ...

(1853–1899) * Henry Edward Kenny (1888–1979), British soldier awarded the Victoria Cross *

J. E. Kenny Joseph Edward Kenny (1845 – 9 April 1900) was an Irish physician, Coroner of the City of Dublin, nationalist politician and Member of Parliament (MP). In the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, he was an Iris ...

, Irish politician *

James Kenny (photographer) James Kenny is a professional photographer based in the United Kingdom, best known for his fashion, celebrity portrait, and documentary work. Biography Kenny was born and raised in Cambridgeshire, where he studied Photography and Journalism wi ...

, British photographer *

James C. Kenny James Casey Kenny (born 1953) is a Chicago businessman who served as United States Ambassador to Ireland from 2003 to 2006. Career Kenny received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinoi ...

, former US ambassador to Ireland * Jason Kenny (born 1988), English cyclist * Jon Kenny, Irish comedian and actor * Laura Kenny (born 1992), British track and road cyclist * Lawrence Kenny, Catholic priest and exorcist * Mark Kenny, former Irish footballer * Matthew Joseph Kenny, Irish politician from Clare * Maurice Kenny (born 1929), Mohawk poet * Mecury Kenny (born 1979), Zimbabwean cricketer * Michael Kenny (disambiguation), includes some Michaels better known as Mick or Mike * Mick Kenny (Kilkenny hurler) (died 2003) * Mike Kenny (writer), British playwright * Nick Kenny (poet) (1895–1975), US columnist, lyricist & poet * Nick Kenny (rugby league), Australian rugby league player * Paddy Kenny, British-born Irish footballer * Paddy Kenny (hurler), Irish hurler * Pat Kenny (born 1948), Irish broadcaster * Seán Kenny (hurler), Irish hurler * Stephen Kenny (footballer), Irish football manager * Tom Kenny (born 1962), American voice actor and comedian best-known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants * Tom Kenny (hurler), Irish hurler * William Kenny (disambiguation)

Fictional characters

* Kenny (Beyblade), Kenny (''Beyblade''), in the anime and manga series ''Beyblade'' * Kenny (Tomorrow People), Kenny (''Tomorrow People''), in the 1970s science fiction series ''The Tomorrow People'' * Kenny Ackerman, a character from ''Attack on Titan'' * List of Corner Shop Show characters#Recurring characters, Kenny Chang, in the British web series ''Corner Shop Show''. * Kenny McCormick, a character from the TV series ''South Park'' * Kenny Powers (character), the protagonist of the HBO series ''Eastbound and Down'' * Kenny Rossmore, a character in the 2013 American crime comedy movie ''We're the Millers#Cast, We're the Millers'' * Kenny Smyth, a corporate bathroom plumber in the 2006 film ''Kenny'' * Kenny Wangler, an African-American drug addict in the HBO drama ''Oz'' * Kenny, in the movie ''Let Me In (film), Let Me In'' * Kenny, in the episodic video game series ''The Walking Dead: Season One'' * Kenny the Shark, from ''Kenny the Shark'' * List of Stitch! characters, Kenny (Kouji), from ''Stitch!''

References

* Genealogies of Kenny and Lysaght by Cecil Stacpoole Kenny 1915, NLI, Dublin, Ireland {{given name, type=both English masculine given names English-language surnames Masculine given names Hypocorisms Surnames of Irish origin Anglicised Irish-language surnames

Given name

Surname

Fictional characters

See also

References