Kenai

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEE-nye /ˈkiː.naɪ/Medium

Meaning: A place name from Alaska -- the Kenai Peninsula and River -- from the Dena'ina people (the Kenaitze). As a given name it reads modern and outdoorsy; also the bear in the film Brother Bear.Low

In 30 seconds: An outdoorsy place name: Kenai comes from Alaska's Kenai Peninsula (said 'KEE-nye'). Fresh and rare.

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Origin LowAmerican

MeaningA place name from Alaska -- the Kenai Peninsula and River -- from the Dena'ina people (the Kenaitze). As a given name it reads modern and outdoorsy; also the bear in the film Brother Bear.

U.S. rank (2024)#16432 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 68

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

Kenai is best known as an Alaskan place name (the Kenai Peninsula), rooted with the Dena'ina; it is also the bear in Brother Bear. As a first name it reads fresh and outdoorsy -- rare in the U.S. (said 'KEE-nye').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a girl's name. Extremely rare, outdoorsy, and modern.

Did you know? Kenai takes its name from Alaska's Kenai Peninsula and River, tied to the Dena'ina people; as a given name it reads modern and outdoorsy, which we note honestly (said 'KEE-nye').

Overall data confidence 42%

References -- Kenai — Alaska place name -- noted honestly. audio_use_respelling true.

Variations

KenaeKenaiiKenay

Nicknames

KenNai

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kenai mean?

Kenai is an Alaskan place name (the Kenai Peninsula/River), tied to the Dena'ina people; used as a modern given name.

How do you pronounce Kenai?

It's said KEE-nye /ˈkiː.naɪ/ -- two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kenai a boy or girl name?

Kenai is a girl's name.

How popular is Kenai?

Kenai is an extremely rare name in the U.S.