Given name & surname
Kendi
“one who is dearly loved”·“one who is much loved”
Kendi is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “one who is dearly loved” (African) and “one who is much loved” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “one who is dearly loved” (African) and “one who is much loved” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is African.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1962. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Kendi through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 668
- 24 boys · 644 girls
- Most popular year
- 2007
- 31 babies
- 2025
- 10
- #9,785 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −13%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 10 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 9,785 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 32.9% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 31 in 2007. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 665 as a first name in 2020; a sample rank of No. 51,079 among surnames in 1990.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Kendi’s family of names
Kendi has a related form in Kendy. Kendi has a related form in Kendea. Kendi has a related form in Kendee.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 5
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Kendi, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Penda
“one who loves and is loved” · “one who is dearly loved”
>99% girls
Kiden
“daughter born after sons”
31% boys · 69% girls
Binta
“with God”
>99% girls
Karasi
“full of wisdom and life”
>99% girls
Abeni
“a girl child who was prayed for”
>99% girls
Kasinda
“daughter born to a family with twins”
>99% girls
Thandiwe
“the loving one” · “one who is dearly loved”
>99% girls
Abena
“born on a Tuesday”
>99% girls