Girl name · English
Kendra
“knowing, understanding”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Kendra.
Explore Kendra further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Kendra — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Kendra has no single clean origin. It is most often explained as a feminine of Kenneth, or as Old English cyne (royal) plus dryht (troop), or simply as a twentieth-century blend of Ken and Sandra. The last is probably closest to the truth.
It appeared in the US in the 1940s, climbed to a top-200 peak in the 1980s, and has slid steadily since. Its trajectory is a textbook single-generation American name.
It resists shortening past Ken. Two syllables want two or three (Kendra Josephine, Kendra Maeve). On our vibe map it is Y2K Nostalgic with Modern Minimalist bones.
More English names
Kendra sits in our English set — these share its roots.
All English names →Kendra — common questions
Is Kendra a boy or girl name?
Kendra is traditionally a girl name of English origin.
What does the name Kendra mean?
Kendra means “knowing, understanding” of English origin. Kendra has no single clean origin. It is most often explained as a feminine of Kenneth, or as Old English cyne (royal) plus dryht (troop), or simply as a twentieth-century blend of Ken and Sandra. The last is probably closest to the truth.
Where does the name Kendra come from?
Kendra is English in origin. It appeared in the US in the 1940s, climbed to a top-200 peak in the 1980s, and has slid steadily since. Its trajectory is a textbook single-generation American name.
What are common nicknames for Kendra?
Ken and Kenny — the short-forms parents most often use for Kendra.
How popular is Kendra?
Kendra did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Kendra you might want for the nursery.