Kenneth is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Cenath," which means "handsome" or "attractive." The name Kenneth gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages after Saint Kenneth, also known as Mungo, introduced Christianity to Scotland.
Saint Kenneth was born in the 6th century and was a missionary who founded several monasteries, including one in Glasgow. He became the patron saint of Glasgow and is remembered for his many miracles and acts of kindness.
The name Kenneth has been popular throughout history, with many notable individuals bearing this name. Some famous Kenneths include Kenneth Grahame, the author of "The Wind in the Willows," Kenneth Branagh, the acclaimed actor and director, and Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia.
Today, Kenneth remains a popular name for boys around the world. Its Scottish origins give it a strong and noble association, while its meaning makes it a charming and attractive choice. Despite its historic roots, Kenneth is also considered a modern and timeless name that can be passed down through generations.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Kenneth has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States.
The earliest data point shows that there were 6 births with the name Kenneth in 1904. This number remained relatively low until the early 1920s when it started to increase steadily. In 1926, the number of births with the name Kenneth surpassed 70 for the first time, reaching a peak of 89 births in 1929.
However, the popularity of the name Kenneth began to decline after the 1930s. The lowest point was reached in 1994 with only 16 births that year. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with single-digit numbers of births being recorded each year from 1996 to 2007.
In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Kenneth. In 2019, there were 7 births with this name, marking a higher number than any year since 2004.
Overall, while Kenneth was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century, its usage as a baby name has significantly decreased in recent decades. Despite this decline, it appears that Kenneth may still hold some appeal for parents today.