"royal ruler"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Kendrick
Pronunciation: [ k-EHNDR-ihk ]
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A royal name carried by one of music's greatest geniuses
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Meaning & Origin
"bold power, chief ruler"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
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The Story of Kendrick
Kendrick derives from the Old English 'Cyneric' or the Welsh 'Cynwrig,' meaning 'royal ruler' or 'bold power' (from 'cyn' = royal/chief + 'ric' = ruler/power). It was a common Anglo-Saxon name before the Norman Conquest and survived as a surname in Wales and England. It re-emerged as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in African-American communities, before being catapulted into global consciousness by rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Kendrick Lamar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper from Compton, California, has made this name associated with artistic genius. Since his critically acclaimed album 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' (2012), interest in the name has grown among parents of all backgrounds who associate it with exceptional creativity.
In Welsh tradition, the 'cyn-' prefix indicated royal nobility. Today, Kendrick Lamar has given the name entirely new cultural weight — it now represents the most critically acclaimed hip-hop artist of his generation, a Pulitzer Prize winner who interrogates race, identity, and American history through intricate wordplay.
Historical Record
Kendrick first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 32,351 babies have been named Kendrick in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kendrick is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #479 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kendrick Lamar won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018 for 'DAMN.' — the first non-classical or jazz musician ever to win the prize
- The name has Old English roots as 'cynric,' meaning 'royal ruler' — nobility encoded into the name's DNA
- Kendrick Lamar's birth name is Kendrick Lamar Duckworth — he kept his first name, transforming it into a symbol of greatness
Kendrick in Other Languages
Welsh
Cynwrig
French
Kendrick
English
Kendrick
Spanish
Kendrick
Popularity Over Time
#479
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kendrick
K
Kendrick Lamar
Musician
1987
Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper from Compton, California, widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all tim...
Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper from Compton, California, widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time
K
Kendrick Perkins
Athlete
1984
NBA basketball player turned ESPN analyst
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #479
- Total SSA Count
- 641
- Cultural Origins
- English Welsh American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ken
Kenny
Rick
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kendrick
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Girl Name
Kendrick is also used as a girl name, ranked #47412.
View Kendrick as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kendrick
What does the name Kendrick mean?
"royal ruler" (from Old English). "bold power, chief ruler" (from Welsh). Kendrick derives from the Old English 'Cyneric' or the Welsh 'Cynwrig,' meaning 'royal ruler' or 'bold power' (from 'cyn' = royal/chief + 'ric' = ruler/power). It was a common Anglo-Saxon name before the Norman Conquest and survived as a surname in Wales and England. It re-emerged as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in African-American communities, before being catapulted into global consciousness by rapper Kendrick Lamar.
What is the origin of the name Kendrick?
Kendrick has Old English, Welsh, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "royal ruler". In Welsh, it means "bold power, chief ruler".
Is Kendrick a boy or girl name?
Kendrick is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #479. As a girl name, it is ranked #47412. Kendrick is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Kendrick?
Kendrick is pronounced k-EHNDR-ihk.
How popular is the name Kendrick?
Kendrick is currently ranked #479 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kendrick?
Common nicknames for Kendrick include Ken, Kenny, and Rick.
What are good middle names for Kendrick?
Popular middle name pairings include Kendrick Lamar, Kendrick James, Kendrick Elijah, Kendrick Darius, Kendrick Jerome, Kendrick Marcus, and Kendrick Andre.
What are good sibling names for Kendrick?
Names that pair well with Kendrick as siblings include Devin, Marcus, Janelle, Simone, Darius, Imani, and Camden.
How many syllables does Kendrick have?
Kendrick has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kendrick a common or rare name?
Kendrick is a popular name, ranked #479 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Kendrick?
About the Name Kendrick
Kendrick is a boy name with English, Welsh, and American origins . The name means "royal ruler" in Old English .
Is Kendrick a boy or girl name? Kendrick is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #479 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #47,412. Kendrick is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kendrick is currently ranked #479 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kendrick has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-EHNDR-ihk, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kendrick include Ken, Kenny, and Rick. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kendrick include Kendall, Kendrix, Kendry, Kendell, Kendal . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis