What Does the Name Kenneth Mean?
Kenneth is a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin meaning “handsome / born of fire.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Kenneth |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Scottish Gaelic |
| Meaning | handsome / born of fire |
| Variants | Ken, Kenny, Coinneach, Kennith, Kenneth |
| Popularity | A US top 20 boys' name in the 1930s-1950s. |
The meaning and origin of Kenneth
The name Kenneth means “handsome / born of fire” and has Scottish Gaelic origins. Anglicized form of two Gaelic names, Coinneach 'handsome, comely' and Cinaed 'born of fire', borne by Kenneth mac Alpin, the 9th-century king who united the Scots and Picts. It was popularized beyond Scotland by Walter Scott's 1825 novel The Talisman.
Variants and related names
Kenneth is related to several other names you may recognize: Ken, Kenny, Coinneach, Kennith, Kenneth. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Kenneth?
A US top 20 boys' name in the 1930s-1950s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kenneth mean?+
The name Kenneth means “handsome / born of fire” and is of Scottish Gaelic origin.
What is the origin of the name Kenneth?+
Kenneth originates from Scottish Gaelic.
Is Kenneth a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Kenneth has trended in the US over time.
Kenneth by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press