Kendra
Kendra Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈkɛn.dɹə/
Meaning of Kendra: Kendra is most likely a feminine form coined from Kendrick, the Old English/Welsh surname meaning "royal ruler" or "high summit." Kendrick combines "Cynric" elements - either from Old English "cyne" (royal) + "ric" (power, ruler), or from the Welsh "Cynwrig" with similar royal connotations. Kendra emerged as a feminization of this surname tradition, created in 20th-century American naming rather than carrying its own medieval history.
According to Etymonline, Kendrick as a given name has Welsh and Old English roots associated with the legendary King Cynric of Wessex. The feminine -a ending added to Kendr- follows the common American pattern of feminizing masculine names: Sandra from Alexander, Wanda from various Germanic forms, Kendra from Kendrick.
Kendra entered American birth records in the 1950s and grew through the 1960s and 1970s, fitting the broader trend of creating new feminine names by adapting masculine forms or surnames. According to SSA records, Kendra peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when it ranked in the top 100 American girl names - a period when strong, two-syllable feminine names with consonant endings were particularly popular.
What Does Kendra Mean? Origin & Etymology
SSA figures show 412 births in 2024. Like many names that peaked in the 1980s, Kendra has declined from its high but maintains steady use. The TV personality Kendra Wilkinson, known from E!'s "The Girls Next Door" in the 2000s, gave the name a contemporary reference point that extended its cultural visibility.
Kendra occupies a space between invented American names and names with genuine historical roots - it sounds traditional without being ancient. This quality - grounded but not stuffy, feminine but with a strong consonant backbone - explains its sustained appeal across multiple generations of American parents.
How Popular Is Kendra?
Numerology & Symbolism of Kendra
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Kendra – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kendra
What does the name Kendra mean?
The name Kendra derives from Old English roots, reflecting the Anglo-Saxon naming tradition that predates the Norman Conquest. Names of this origin typically referenced personal qualities, natural features, or family lineage meaningful to early English-speaking communities.
How popular is the name Kendra in the United States?
According to SSA records, Kendra ranked #687 for girl names in the United States, with 412 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2024. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Kendra come from?
The name Kendra comes from English. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of English-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a girl’s name across the English-speaking world.