Kendi

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEN-dee /ˈkɛn.di/Medium

Meaning: From the Meru (Kenya) Kendi — variously 'the loved one; one who loves'; also read as a modern Kennedy short form; routes uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: The loved one: Kendi is Kenyan (Meru). Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'KEN-dee'). Routes uncertain.

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Origin LowMeru, Kenyan

MeaningFrom the Meru (Kenya) Kendi — variously 'the loved one; one who loves'; also read as a modern Kennedy short form; routes uncertain

U.S. rank (2025)#9785 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 644

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

Kendi comes from the Meru (Kenya) Kendi — variously 'the loved one; one who loves'; also read as a modern Kennedy short form (routes uncertain, which we note). A crisp, modern name (said 'KEN-dee').

In the U.S. it appears in Kenyan families. Rare, the-loved-one at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Kendi is a Meru (Kenya) name, variously 'the loved one; one who loves' — a crisp, warm name (the routes are uncertain, which we note; said 'KEN-dee').

Overall data confidence 26%

References — Kendi — Meru; routes uncertain

Variations

KendyKendii

Nicknames

Ken

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kendi…

Kendra— a sound-neighbor Ken- girls' name

Kenda— a fellow Ken- girls' name

Wendy— a companion -endy girls' name

Kenzie— a kin Ken- girls' name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kendi mean?

Kendi is a Meru (Kenya) name, variously 'the loved one; one who loves'; the routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Kendi?

It's said KEN-dee /ˈkɛn.di/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kendi a boy or girl name?

Kendi is a girl's name here (it is also used for boys).

How popular is Kendi?

Kendi is a very rare name in the U.S.