Kemberly
A girl's name of Old English origin with 1,503 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Kemberly hit its peak of 50 births in 1968, post-war optimism and the baby boom were producing the largest generation of Americans in history, and naming trends reflected that era’s values of stability and tradition.
Today, Kemberly reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Kemberly is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kemberly is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, a variant spelling of Kimberly, derived from the South African city of Kimberley, itself named after Lord Kimberley. The place name comes from the Old English Cyneburh's leah meaning 'royal fortress meadow.'
Kemberly offers a distinctive spelling of the enormously popular Kimberly, which ranked in the Top 5 American girl names through much of the 1960s and 1970s. The Kem- opening gives it a slightly softer look.
EtymologyShow more
Kemberly is built from 8 letters and three syllables — a longer structure that creates presence and allows for natural nickname formation. Within the Old English naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Kemberly creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kemberly has 63+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1955.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | #16327 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 63 | #12627 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 263 | #5183 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 261 | #4450 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 217 | #4029 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 319 | #2621 | — |
| 1960s | 327 | #2256 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 48 | #4330 | — |
The Story of Kemberly
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1968, Kemberly is a Gen X staple. Girls named Kemberly are most likely born between 1958 and 1978.
How rare is Kemberly?
With 1,503 total births on record, Kemberly remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1955, peaked in the 1960s with 327 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kemberly by the numbers
- Would fill 31 school buses
- Meeting one Kemberly per day would take 4.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(63 years, 1955–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | #16327 |
| 2017 | 7 | #13403 |
| 2015 | 11 | #9815 |
| 2014 | 7 | #13825 |
| 2013 | 6 | #15596 |
| 2012 | 5 | #18235 |
| 2011 | 15 | #7995 |
| 2010 | 12 | #9522 |
| 2009 | 17 | #7520 |
| 2008 | 23 | #6038 |
| 2007 | 21 | #6446 |
| 2006 | 29 | #4890 |
| 2005 | 30 | #4534 |
| 2004 | 34 | #4138 |
| 2003 | 28 | #4607 |
| 2002 | 28 | #4443 |
| 2001 | 23 | #5093 |
| 2000 | 30 | #4121 |
| 1999 | 31 | #3844 |
| 1998 | 43 | #2991 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kemberly a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kemberly most popular?
How popular is the name Kemberly?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1955–2020