Kenneth is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Cináed, which means "handsome" or "winning". The name has been popular in Scotland for centuries and was often used by members of the royal family.
The name Kenneth is believed to have originated with an early Irish king named Cináed. According to legend, Cináed was known for his bravery and leadership, qualities that were reflected in his name. Over time, the name spread from Ireland to Scotland, where it became popular among the nobility.
One of the most famous bearers of the name Kenneth was King Kenneth I MacAlpin, who ruled Scotland in the 9th century. MacAlpin is credited with uniting the Scots and Picts into a single nation, and his reign marked the beginning of the Kingdom of Alba, which would eventually become Scotland.
The name Kenneth has also been used by several notable figures throughout history. For example, Kenneth Graham was the author of the classic children's book "The Wind in the Willows", while Kenneth Clark was a renowned art historian and television presenter.
Today, Kenneth is still a popular name in Scotland and around the world. It is often associated with Scottish culture and heritage, but its meaning of "handsome" or "winning" makes it appealing to parents of all backgrounds.
The name Kenneth has had a fluctuating popularity over the years in the United States. In the early to mid-20th century, it experienced several periods of growth and decline.
Between 1917 and 1934, there were fewer than 13 births per year with the name Kenneth on average, reaching its lowest point with only six births each year in both 1917 and 1923. However, it began to gain popularity by the late 1930s and early 1940s, with the number of births increasing steadily from eight in 1936 to a peak of 27 in 1949.
This trend continued into the 1950s and early 1960s, reaching its highest point at 96 births in 1960. However, it began to decline once again thereafter, dropping to just eight births in 1991. This low remained relatively consistent throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, with five births each year from 1992 to 2003.
Despite its fluctuating popularity over time, Kenneth has still been a consistently chosen name for boys in the United States. Over the entire period from 1917 to 2007, there were a total of 2,005 births registered with this name. While it may not be as popular today as it once was during its peak years, Kenneth remains a classic and timeless choice for parents looking for a traditional yet unique boy's name.