Kenny is a surname, 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 ...

, 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 of the

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

''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 ...

, Munster, 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 Del ...

and in

County Tyrone County Tyrone (; ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland. It is no longer used as an administrative division for local government but retai ...

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 Kin ...

, 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. Cainn ...

, better known in English as Saint Canice - a sixth-century Irish priest and missionary from near Dungiven, after whom the city and county of Kilkenny 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 kingdom, based in

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

Galway Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a city in the West of Ireland, in the province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay, and is the sixth most populous city on ...

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 buil ...

. 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 Kenneth is an English given name and surname. The name is an Anglicised form of two entirely different Gaelic personal names: ''Cainnech'' and '' Cináed''. The modern Gaelic form of ''Cainnech'' is ''Coinneach''; the name was derived from a byn ...

and a diminutive form of

Ken Ken or KEN may refer to: Entertainment * ''Ken'' (album), a 2017 album by Canadian indie rock band Destroyer. * ''Ken'' (film), 1964 Japanese film. * ''Ken'' (magazine), a large-format political magazine. * Ken Masters, a main character in ...

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) Kenneth Anderson (born October 9, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player. After a college career at Georgia Tech, he played point guard professionally from 1991 to 2006, mostly in the National Basketball Association. Early ...

(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 ...

, association footballer *

Kenny Baker (English actor) Kenneth George Baker (24 August 1934 – 13 August 2016) was an English actor, comedian and musician. He portrayed the character R2-D2 in the ''Star Wars'' franchise and also appeared in '' The Elephant Man'', '' Time Bandits'', ''Willow'', ''F ...

(1934–2016), English actor, best known to portray

R2-D2 R2-D2 () or Artoo-Detoo is a fictional robot character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. He has appeared in ten of the eleven theatrical ''Star Wars'' films to date. At various points throughout the course of the films, R2, ...

in the Star Wars franchise. *

Kenny Ball Kenneth Daniel Ball (22 May 1930Larkin C., ''Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music''. (Muze UK Ltd, 1997), p. 29; ) – 7 March 2013) was an English jazz musician, best known as the bandleader, lead trumpet player and vocalist in Kenny Ball and ...

(1930–2013), English jazz musician *

Kenny Bell Kenny Bell (born February 25, 1992) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Nebraska and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Early years Bell attended Fairview Hi ...

(born 1992), American football player *

Kenny Bernstein Kenneth Dale Bernstein (born September 6, 1944) is an American drag racer and former NASCAR and IndyCar team owner. He is nicknamed the "Bud King" for his success in the Budweiser King funny car and dragster. He has also been nicknamed the ...

(born 1944), NHRA driver *

Kenny Black Kenneth George Black (born 29 November 1963) is a Scottish football manager and former player who spent most of his career with Heart of Midlothian and Airdrieonians. Playing career A left-sided defender or midfielder, Black began his playin ...

(born 1963), Scottish footballer *

Kenny Booker Kenneth Arnold Booker (born November 20, 1948) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins from 1969 to 1971, winning a national championship in each of his two seasons of play. He played ...

, American basketball player *

Kenny Bräck Kenny Bräck (born 21 March 1966) is a Swedish former race car driver. Until his retirement from racing, he competed in the CART, Indy Racing League and the IROC series. He won the 1998 Indy Racing League championship and the 1999 Indianapolis ...

(born 1966), former Swedish IndyCar driver *

Kenny Chesney Kenneth Arnold Chesney (born March 26, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has recorded more than 20 albums and has produced more than 40 Top 10 singles on the US ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs and Country ...

(born 1968), American country music singer, songwriter and record producer *

Kenny Clarke Kenneth Clarke Spearman (January 9, 1914January 26, 1985), nicknamed Klook, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style of drumming, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-ha ...

(1914–1985), American jazz drummer and bandleader * Kenny Dalglish, Scottish soccer player and manager *

Kenny Delmar Kenneth Howard Delmar (born Kenneth Frederick Fay Howard,
''

(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 Sun Devils football, Arizona State University. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at the Oregon Ducks football, U ...

(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 membe ...

, 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 Brui ...

, American football player *

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

(1973–2016), American man with sacral agenesis, known as "Man with half a body" *

Kenny Edwards (rugby league) Kenny Edwards (born 13 September 1989) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Betfred Super League. He previously played for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL, and the Catala ...

(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 Kenneth Henry Fields (born February 9, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (21st pick overall) of the 1984 NBA draft. A 6'5" guard-forward from UCLA, Fields played i ...

(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 lawyer, attorney. He won three collegiate NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, national championships at UCLA Bruins men's basketball, UCLA from ...

(1947–2012), American basketball player *

Kenny Hotz Kenneth Joel Hotz (born May 3, 1967) is a Canadian comedy writer, producer, entertainer and television personality. He is best known as the star of the reality comedy show '' Kenny vs. Spenny'' alongside Spencer Rice. Hotz is the creator of the ...

, Canadian filmmaker and star of ''Kenny vs. Spenny'' *

Kenny Hughes Kenneth Hughes is an actor, dancer, 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''). Performance and Biog ...

, 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 Tru ...

, 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, 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. Hig ...

(born 1988), Cameroonian basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League *

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 Kenneth James Lawler, Jr. (born June 25, 1994) is a professional gridiron football wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 243rd overall, of ...

(born 1994), American football player *

Kenny Layne Kenneth Layne (born July 22, 1981) is an American Professional wrestling, 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 ...

(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, English football manager * Kenny Mayne, American sports journalist * Kenny Middlemiss (born 1964), Scottish badminton player * Kenny Miller, Scottish footballer * Kenny Moore, American athlete * Kenny Moore (American football), American football player * Kenny O'Dell (1944–2018), American country music singer and songwriter * Kenny Okoro, American football player * Kenny Omega (born 1982), ring name of Canadian-born professional wrestler Tyson Smith * Kenny Ortega (born 1950), film director and producer * Kenny Perry, American professional golfer * Kenny Price (1931–1987), American country music singer-songwriter * Kenny Roberts, former motorcycle racer * Ken Robinson (disambiguation), Kenny Robinson, multiple people * Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), American country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer * Kenny Sebastian, Indian comedian * Kenny Stucker, (born 1970) American football player * Kenny Taylor (basketball), (born 1992) basketball player for the Akita Northern Happinets of Japan * Kenny Tran, 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 (born 1997), American football player * Kenny Wooten (born 1998), American basketball player * Kenny Yeboah (born 1998), American football player * Kenny Young (American football) (born 1994) American football player

Surname

* Anthony Kenny (born 1931), English philosopher * Bernard Kenny (born 1946), American politician * Bill Kenny (Australian footballer) (born 1897), Australian rules footballer * Bill Kenny (English footballer), 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) * Charles Kenny (1898–1992), American composer and lyricist * Charles Kenny (cricketer) (1929–96), English * David Kenny (disambiguation) * Enda Kenny (born 1951), Irish politician, leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach * Enda Kenny (singer), Irish-born Australian folksinger and songwriter * Elizabeth Kenny (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 (1913–1975), Irish politician and Gaelic footballer * Henry Kenny (Australian politician) (1853–1899) * Henry Edward Kenny (1888–1979), British soldier awarded the Victoria Cross * J. E. Kenny, Irish politician * James Kenny (photographer), British photographer * James C. Kenny, 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