Kenny
From Kenneth or Ken + -y (diminutive form).
Every Kenny since 1908 — 52,479 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kenny
Kenny is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,271 in 2025 with 155 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1908, 52,479 American babies have been named Kenny. Its peak came in 1960, when 1,949 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kenny stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kenny year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #14,076 | 155 | #1,271 |
| 2024 | 15 | #7,422 | 140 | #1,357 |
| 2023 | 9 | #10,759 | 162 | #1,223 |
| 2022 | 7 | #12,926 | 160 | #1,234 |
| 2021 | — | — | 158 | #1,221 |
| 2020 | — | — | 182 | #1,089 |
| 2019 | — | — | 257 | #863 |
| 2018 | — | — | 207 | #1,001 |
| 2017 | 5 | #17,192 | 217 | #959 |
| 2016 | — | — | 242 | #898 |
| 2015 | — | — | 247 | #893 |
| 2014 | — | — | 265 | #846 |
| 2013 | 5 | #17,973 | 283 | #795 |
| 2012 | — | — | 310 | #746 |
| 2011 | — | — | 328 | #701 |
| 2010 | — | — | 385 | #631 |
| 2009 | — | — | 404 | #618 |
| 2008 | 10 | #11,223 | 493 | #537 |
| 2007 | 5 | #19,095 | 522 | #507 |
| 2006 | 8 | #13,000 | 521 | #497 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,385 | 555 | #462 |
| 2004 | 10 | #10,304 | 520 | #481 |
| 2003 | — | — | 527 | #477 |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,166 | 550 | #448 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,568 | 511 | #465 |
| 2000 | — | — | 566 | #431 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10,043 | 574 | #399 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,782 | 516 | #431 |
| 1985 | 6 | #9,927 | 573 | #335 |
| 1980 | — | — | 574 | #330 |
| 1975 | — | — | 354 | #410 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,484 | 668 | #302 |
| 1965 | 8 | #5,045 | 1,103 | #217 |
| 1960 | 15 | #3,277 | 1,934 | #169 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,281 | 689 | #272 |
| 1950 | 5 | #5,693 | 514 | #299 |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,840 | 520 | #253 |
| 1940 | — | — | 317 | #316 |
| 1935 | — | — | 122 | #524 |
| 1930 | — | — | 57 | #880 |
| 1925 | — | — | 21 | #1,715 |
| 1920 | — | — | 7 | #3,660 |
| 1915 | — | — | 9 | #2,730 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Kenny
- Kenny Rogers Singer · 1938–2020
- Kenny Dalglish Soccer player · b. 1951
- Kenny Baker Actor · 1934–2016
- Kenny G Musician · b. 1956
- Kenny Loggins Musician · b. 1948
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kenny mean?
From Kenneth or Ken + -y (diminutive form).
How popular is the name Kenny in 2025?
Kenny ranked #1,271 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 155 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kenny?
52,479 babies have been named Kenny in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kenny most popular?
Kenny peaked in 1960, when 1,949 newborns received the name.
Is Kenny a boy or girl name?
Kenny is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kenny rising or falling?
Kenny is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kenny?
Well-known people named Kenny include Kenny Rogers (singer), Kenny Dalglish (soccer player), Kenny Baker (actor).