Kena

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEE-nah /ˈki.nɑ/Medium

Meaning: A short modern name, variously echoing McKenna ('born of fire; a handsome one', Gaelic) and Kendra; the route is uncertain, so we flag itLow

In 30 seconds: A short name: Kena echoes McKenna and Kendra. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'KEE-nah').

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Origin LowAmerican, Gaelic

MeaningA short modern name, variously echoing McKenna ('born of fire; a handsome one', Gaelic) and Kendra; the route is uncertain, so we flag it

U.S. rank (2025)#8105 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births13 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,848

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kena is a short modern name — variously echoing McKenna, from the Gaelic, 'born of fire; a handsome one', and Kendra (the route is uncertain, which we flag honestly). A crisp, modern name (said 'KEE-nah').

It registers thinly in records. Rare, a-short-name at the (uncertain) root, and crisp.

Did you know? Kena is variously a short form of McKenna ('born of fire; a handsome one') and Kendra — a crisp, modern name (the route is uncertain, which we flag; said 'KEE-nah').

Overall data confidence 40%

U.S. Social Security Administration name files — route uncertain

Variations

KeenaKennaKina

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kena…

Kenna— a fellow spelling

Keira— a sound-neighbor short girls' name

Sienna— another -enna girls' name

Leyna— lands in the same popularity range

Yeshna— another American name

Explore names like Kena

By themeuncertain english gaelic

By meaningBeauty Fire

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kena mean?

Kena is variously a short form of McKenna and Kendra; the route is uncertain, so we flag it.

How do you pronounce Kena?

It's said KEE-nah /ˈki.nɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kena a boy or girl name?

Kena is a girl's name.

How popular is Kena?

Kena is a rare name in the U.S.