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Jay vs Kenneth

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Jay

Boy #397 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"to rejoice, joyful"

Origin: Latin (Gaius)

Cultural Roots

American English South Asian Universal

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#397
Total SSA Count
819
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Kenneth

Boy #284 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"handsome; fair one"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (Coinneach)

Cultural Roots

Scottish Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#284
Total SSA Count
1,186
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Jay Rank #397
Kenneth Rank #284

Kenneth is more popular, ranked #284 vs #397 for Jay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jay or Kenneth more popular?

Kenneth is more popular, ranked #284 compared to Jay at #397 in the United States.

What do Jay and Kenneth mean?

Jay means "to rejoice, joyful" (Latin (Gaius) origin). Kenneth means "handsome; fair one" (Scottish Gaelic (Coinneach) origin).

Are Jay and Kenneth boy or girl names?

Jay is primarily a boy name. Kenneth is primarily a boy name.

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