Kenzi
Primarily a girl's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 3,159 recorded births. Also given to 38 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A Nubian language of Egypt.
Kenzi is a girl's and boy's baby name, a variant of Kenzie — itself a short form of McKenzie, a Scottish Gaelic surname meaning 'son of Coinneach' ('fair one' or 'handsome'). The simplified Kenzi spelling gives it a breezy, modern feel.
Kenzie and its variants have found remarkable success as standalone names, driven by their soft sound and the popularity of the McKenzie surname. Kenzi in particular has a minimalist quality — dropping the "-ie" to just "-i" — that fits perfectly with the modern trend of streamlined, vowel-forward girls' names.
EtymologyShow more
Kenzi first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1982. First appearing in the 1980s, Kenzi emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Scottish Gaelic classification suggests a path from scottish gaelic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kenzi has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1982.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 467 | #2163 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,571 | #1474 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 690 | #2582 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 344 | #3467 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 87 | #6889 | — |
The Story of Kenzi
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2013, Kenzi is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Kenzi are most likely born between 2003 and 2023.
How rare is Kenzi?
Only about 1 in every 59,016 babies born in 2024 was named Kenzi — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1982, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 1,571 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Kenzi by the numbers
- Would fill 66 school buses
- Meeting one Kenzi per day would take 8.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(43 years, 1982–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 61 | #2781 |
| 2023 | 71 | #2502 |
| 2022 | 87 | #2182 |
| 2021 | 120 | #1723 |
| 2020 | 128 | #1626 |
| 2019 | 131 | #1619 |
| 2018 | 116 | #1767 |
| 2017 | 139 | #1576 |
| 2016 | 164 | #1415 |
| 2015 | 152 | #1502 |
| 2014 | 188 | #1278 |
| 2013 | 203 | #1188 |
| 2012 | 200 | #1216 |
| 2011 | 158 | #1436 |
| 2010 | 120 | #1745 |
| 2009 | 99 | #2069 |
| 2008 | 81 | #2391 |
| 2007 | 96 | #2109 |
| 2006 | 78 | #2413 |
| 2005 | 47 | #3298 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Kenzi as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Kenzi has also been given to 38 boys in the U.S. since 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenzi a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kenzi most popular?
How popular is the name Kenzi?
Can Kenzi be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1982–2024