Kenzie is a gender-neutral name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Kennedy, which comes from the Gaelic name Cínáed, meaning "handsome" or "attractive". The name has been popularized by celebrities such as actor and musician Zooey Deschanel, who named her daughter Kenzie in 2015.
The name Kenzie is thought to have originated as a Scottish clan name, with the Kennedy clan being one of the most powerful and influential families in Scotland during the Middle Ages. The name Cínáed was borne by several prominent Scottish kings and chiefs throughout history, including Cínáed mac Maíl Coluim (Cináed II), who ruled the Kingdom of Alba from 977 to 1005.
In literature, Kenzie is also used as a character's name in several works. One notable example is "The Kenzie Series" by Scottish author Denise Mina, which features a private investigator named Alex Morrow who goes by the nickname Kenz.
Overall, Kenzie is a strong and unique name with a rich history behind it. Its meaning of "handsome" or "attractive" makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Kenzie has experienced a significant increase in popularity over the past five decades in the United States. Between 1970 and 2023, there have been a total of 20,534 births registered with the name Kenzie.
The trend started slowly, with only 5 births recorded in 1970. However, by 1986, the number had reached 56 births, indicating that more parents were choosing this name for their children. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a significant surge in popularity, with over 100 births recorded annually from 1990 onwards.
The year 2007 marked a turning point, with 652 births registered, the highest number to date. This trend continued until 2014, when an impressive 1,328 babies were named Kenzie at birth. However, since then, the popularity of the name has started to decline gradually.
In recent years, there have been fewer than 900 births annually with the name Kenzie, reaching a low of 523 births in 2023 so far. Despite this decrease in popularity, Kenzie remains a popular choice among parents, ranking consistently among the top 1,000 baby names in the United States since the mid-1980s.
In conclusion, while the name Kenzie has seen fluctuations in its popularity over time, it has remained a steady and consistent choice for parents in the United States. Its peak popularity occurred around two decades ago, but even today, hundreds of babies each year are still given this name at birth.