Kensley

A Old English name gently fading from the charts.

Girl's name| Also boysOld EnglishDeclining
#741 13in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname from Old English.

Kensley is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, a modern feminine coinage derived from a place name possibly meaning 'Cene's woodland clearing' — from the Old English personal name Cene and leah (clearing). It emerged as a given name in the early 21st century.

Kensley sits naturally alongside Kinsley, Hensley, and Ansley as a -sley surname name with a fresh feminine feel. It has a warm, approachable sound with just enough distinctiveness to stand out from the crowd. Currently gaining momentum as parents look for names in the Kinsley family with a slightly different opening sound.

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Popularity Over Time

Kensley climbed 1577 spots in the last 20 years — from #2318 to #741.

018536955473820002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kensley
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s2,461
2010s4,945
2000s938
1990s215
1980s22

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(38 years, 19872024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kensley
YearBirthsRank
2024378#741
2023374#754
2022485#614
2021544#563
2020680#454
2019656#477
2018738#424
2017648#480
2016595#523
2015446#639
2014480#606
2013443#636
2012380#729
2011319#830
2010240#1043
2009184#1316
2008173#1383
2007131#1685
200681#2336
200566#2592

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Kensley as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Kensley has also been given to 320 boys in the U.S. since 1989.

#5147
Current rank
320
Total births
2024
Peak year
Compare Kensley as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Kensley be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Kensley is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #741. As a boy's name, it ranks #5147.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19872024) · Methodology