Kendall
Pronunciation: [ k-EHND-uhl ]
Valley roots, runway cool - effortlessly modern.
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Heavily associated with Kendall Jenner of the Kardashian-Jenner family, which may feel overly celebrity-linked to some parents
The Story of Kendall
Kendall is an English place name and surname derived from the town of Kendal in Cumbria, England. The town's name comes from Old Norse and Old English: Kent (from the River Kent) plus dale (valley), meaning 'valley of the River Kent.' The River Kent itself may derive from a Brythonic Celtic root. As with many English surnames, Kendall transitioned into use as a given first name over the 20th century.
Kendall has been used as both a male and female given name since the mid-20th century in the United States but skewed increasingly female from the 1990s onward. The rise of model and TV personality Kendall Jenner, born in 1995, significantly boosted the name's visibility and female associations throughout the 2010s. It currently ranks in the top 200 for girls in the US.
Kendal, England is historically famous for Kendal Mint Cake, an energy confection used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their 1953 summit of Mount Everest. The town was also a center of the English wool trade in the Middle Ages. As a first name, it carries modern American connotations of style and fashion.
Fun Facts
- Kendal Mint Cake, made in the English town from which the name derives, was carried to the summit of Everest in 1953.
- Kendall is one of the few names that transitioned from primarily male to primarily female use in the US during the late 20th century.
- The town of Kendal in Cumbria is also home to a famous medieval castle and was a significant center for the wool trade.
Kendall in Other Languages
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #310
- Total SSA Count
- 985
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Kendall is also used as a boy name, ranked #1232.
View Kendall as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kendall
What is the origin of the name Kendall?
Is Kendall a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Kendall
Kendall is a girl name with English and American origins .
Is Kendall a boy or girl name? Kendall is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #310 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,232. Kendall is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kendall is currently ranked #310 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kendall has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-EHND-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kendall include Ken, Kenny, and Kenni. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kendall include Kendra, Kendal, Kendyl . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.