Home › Baby Names Directory › Kendal
Kendal
Pronounced KEN-dəl /ˈkɛn.dəl/High
Meaning: From the English town Kendal — 'valley of the river Kent' — a one-l spelling of the surname KendallHigh
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
Kendal comes from the Cumbrian town — 'Kent's dale', the valley of the river Kent — a one-l spelling of the surname Kendall. As a girls' first name it rode the surname wave, supercharged by model Kendall Jenner; the single-l form reads slightly softer.
It registers modestly for girls as a sleek place-and-surname name. Rare in this spelling, valley-green at the root.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Kendal…
Explore names like Kendal
Frequently Asked
What does the name Kendal mean?
Kendal comes from the English town meaning 'valley of the river Kent', a one-l spelling of Kendall.
How do you pronounce Kendal?
It's said KEN-dəl /ˈkɛn.dəl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Kendal a boy or girl name?
Kendal is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.
How popular is Kendal?
Kendal is a rare spelling in the U.S.; Kendall is the familiar form.