Home › Baby Names Directory › Kendra

Kendra

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEN-druh /ˈkɛn.drə/High

Meaning: Possibly a feminine form of Kendrick, from Old English Cyneric meaning 'royal power' or 'greatest champion', or from Welsh Cynwrig; also interpreted as combining the Old English cyn (kin, royal) with Welsh ffraw (water) or andra (man)Medium

In 30 seconds: Kendra is a strong, two-syllable feminine name derived from the masculine Kendrick, meaning royal power or greatest champion. It developed as an American feminine form in the 20th century and has a confident, modern feel.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumOld English, Welsh
MeaningPossibly a feminine form of Kendrick, from Old English Cyneric meaning 'royal power' or 'greatest champion', or from Welsh Cynwrig; also interpreted as combining the Old English cyn (kin, royal) with Welsh ffraw (water) or andra (man)
U.S. rank (2025)#849 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births320 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1987
Total births (all-time)≈ 98,430

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198719362025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Kendra is a feminine form of Kendrick, which derives from Old English Cyneric or Welsh Cynwrig, composed of cyn (kin, royal, chief) and ric (power, ruler), meaning 'royal power' or 'greatest champion'. Feminine forms ending in -a of masculine names were common in mid-20th-century American naming (Sandra from Alexander, Wanda from Wand, Kendra from Kendrick).

Kendra became popular in the United States in the 1960s through 1990s, appealing particularly in African American communities where strong, distinctive feminine names were prized. It ranked consistently in the U.S. top 200 girls names for several decades. Television personality Kendra Wilkinson kept the name in the public eye in the 2000s.

Did you know? The name Kendrick — from which Kendra derives — was borne by several early Welsh kings and is preserved in place names across Wales and England, giving Kendra a quiet Celtic royal heritage.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Kendra — Old English and Welsh etymology via KendrickU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KyndraKendria

Nicknames

KenKenni

Famous Bearers

  • ★Kendra Wilkinson (1985–present)
    American television personality known for reality series including The Girls Next Door and Kendra.

If you like Kendra…

Sandra— same pattern of American feminine -a form derived from a masculine name
Dendra
Tandra— shares the -andra ending and the mid-20th century American feminine formation
Andra— same -ndra ending and the concept of a feminine form of a masculine name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kendra mean?

Kendra means royal power or greatest champion, as a feminine form of Kendrick from Old English Cyneric and Welsh Cynwrig.

How do you pronounce Kendra?

It is said KEN-druh, with two syllables.

Is Kendra a popular name?

Kendra was consistently in the U.S. top 200 girls names from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Is Kendra a masculine or feminine name?

Kendra is a feminine name, derived as the female form of the masculine Kendrick.