Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kenton
BoyOld English, English· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- KEN-tun
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,758
- US babies 2025
- 92
- Best rank
- #587 (1958)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Kenton
Kenton is an Old English and English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Kenton is an English surname taken from several place names in England, including villages in Devon and Suffolk and a district of northwest London. The place names probably combine an Old English personal name or river name with tun, meaning settlement or farmstead, though the details differ from place to place. Like many place-name surnames, Kenton later became a given name. It has a solid, polished sound, familiar thanks to its closeness to Ken and Kent, both of which make natural nicknames. Kenton suits parents who want a traditional English feel.
Popularity over time
Kenton first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 62 different years, starting in 1931. Its best national rank was #587 in 1958, and the most babies received it in 2014, when 188 were named Kenton. In 2025, 92 babies were named Kenton, and it ranked #1,758 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,667 in 1920, #692 in 1950, #797 in 1980, #1,031 in 2000, #1,478 in 2010, and #1,758 in 2025. Of the 11,280 US boys named Kenton since records began, 13% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 1,412 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Aayden, Cormac, Aston, Taj, and Jacen.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kenton ranked highest in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | #669 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #771 | 11 |
| Virginia | #1178 | 5 |
| Texas | #1837 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Kenton is usually pronounced KEN-tun, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Kenton
A few middle names that flow with Kenton: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kenton
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Lists that include Kenton
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kenton mean?
Kenton is an Old English and English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Kenton?
Kenton has Old English and English roots. Kenton is an English surname taken from several place names in England, including villages in Devon and Suffolk and a district of northwest London.
Is Kenton a popular name?
Not especially. Kenton ranked #1,758 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kenton a boy or girl name?
Kenton is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Kenton?
Kenton is usually pronounced KEN-tun. 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