Kendal is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years as a unisex given name. It is derived from the place name Kendal, which is located in Cumbria, England. The name Kendal itself comes from the Old Norse words "kend" meaning "valley" and "hal" meaning "hollow". Therefore, the meaning of Kendal is associated with valleys or hollows.
The town of Kendal has a long history dating back to the Roman period when it was known as "Aquae Arclotiae", which means "the waters of Arclotia" due to its hot springs. The name evolved over time and by the 12th century, it had become Kendale, referring to the valley or district around the town. By the 14th century, the name had been shortened to Kendall.
Kendal as a given name began to appear in the United States in the late 19th century. It was more commonly used for boys at first but has since gained popularity as a unisex name. Today, Kendal is often chosen by parents who appreciate its unique sound and English heritage, without necessarily having a direct connection to the place itself.
In literature, there are no notable characters named Kendal that have contributed to its popularity. However, it is mentioned briefly in Emily Brontë's novel "Wuthering Heights" as the name of a character's estate. Overall, Kendal remains a distinctive and lesser-known name option with a rich history tied to its place of origin.
The name Kendal has a fascinating history of usage in the United States, as reflected in the annual birth statistics from 1915 to 2023.
In the early decades of the 20th century, Kendal was quite uncommon. Between 1915 and 1940, there were fewer than 10 births each year with this name, indicating that it was not a popular choice among parents during this period.
However, starting in the mid-1940s, we begin to see an increase in the number of Kendal births annually. In 1945 and 1946, there were 16 births each year, and by 1950, that number had risen to 19. This upward trend continued throughout the 1950s, with a peak of 54 births in 1963.
The name Kendal reached its height of popularity between 1987 and 1994, with over 100 births each year during this period. The highest number of Kendal births recorded was in 1993, with 137 babies named Kendal.
Since the mid-1990s, the usage of Kendal has declined steadily, although it remains a recognizable name. Between 2000 and 2021, there were fewer than 100 Kendal births each year, with a low of just 25 in 2021.
In total, from 1915 to 2023, there have been 4633 babies named Kendal born in the United States. While it is no longer one of the most popular names today, Kendal's long history of usage demonstrates its enduring appeal among parents throughout the decades.