Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Kendall
GirlEnglish· “valley of the River Kent”
- Meaning
- valley of the River Kent
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- KEHN-duhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #328
- US babies 2025
- 932
- Best rank
- #116 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2012
Meaning and origin of Kendall
Kendall is an English name that means “valley of the River Kent”.
Kendall comes from an English surname taken from Kendal, a market town in Cumbria. The place name means "valley of the River Kent," the river that runs through the town. The town gave its name to a green woolen cloth, Kendal green, mentioned by Shakespeare, and to a well-known mint cake. As a first name, Kendall was used for boys before becoming popular for girls in the United States. It has a smooth, polished sound with a sporty edge, and it shortens to Kenni or Kenny. Spellings include Kendal and Kendel.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kendal, Kendell, Kendle.
Popularity over time
Kendall first appears in US Social Security records in 1929. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 49 different years, starting in 1964. Its best national rank was #116 in 2012, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,625 babies. In 2025, 932 babies were named Kendall, and it ranked #328 nationally. That is 58% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,975 in 1950, #827 in 1980, #191 in 2000, #133 in 2010, and #328 in 2025. Of the 66,533 US girls named Kendall since records began, 32% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 20,254 babies. Since 2010, 26,282 more have been named Kendall.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Reese, Brooklynn, Aliyah, Makenzie, and Elise.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kendall ranked highest in North Dakota, District of Columbia, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #109 | 9 |
| District of Columbia | #172 | 5 |
| New Hampshire | #188 | 7 |
| Maine | #192 | 6 |
| Delaware | #200 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 86% of US babies named Kendall over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kendall is usually pronounced KEHN-duhl, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-ll”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kendal, Kendell, and Kendle.
Middle names for Kendall
A few middle names that flow with Kendall: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kendall
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Lists that include Kendall
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kendall mean?
Kendall is an English name that means “valley of the River Kent”.
What is the origin of the name Kendall?
Kendall has English roots. Kendall comes from an English surname taken from Kendal, a market town in Cumbria.
Is Kendall a popular name?
Yes. Kendall ranked #328 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kendall a boy or girl name?
Kendall is mainly a girl's name. About 86% of US babies named Kendall over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kendall?
Kendall is usually pronounced KEHN-duhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings