How to say it
KEN · dra
ˈkɛn.drə
Feminine
Kendra
Uncertain; likely a feminine of Kendrick
What it means
A modern English name, most likely a feminine form of Kendrick or a blend of Ken with names like Sandra.
Kendra is a modern English name whose origin is genuinely uncertain. The most common account reads it as a feminine form of Kendrick, a surname that goes back to the Welsh Cynwrig and the Old English Cyneric. Others treat it as a blend, pairing 'Ken' with the endings of Sandra or Andrea. No single old root is settled, so it is best given with a hedge. The name appeared in the US in the early 20th century, gained ground in the 1960s and 1970s, and peaked in the late 1980s. It has been cooling since, sliding from rank 686 to 849 in the 2025 data.
How to spell Kendra
The standard spelling is Kendra. Common variants include Kendria, Kendra, but Kendra is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #77 in 1987, currently #849 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
KEN-druh, stress on the first syllable.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Kendra Wilkinson American television personality
- Kendra Scott American fashion designer and founder of the eponymous jewelry brand
Spelling variants
- Kendria
- Kendra
Names with the same feeling
See Kendra from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Kendra mean?
- A modern English name, most likely a feminine form of Kendrick or a blend of Ken with names like Sandra.
- What does Kendra mean in English?
- In English, Kendra means "Uncertain; likely a feminine of Kendrick." Kendra is a modern English name whose origin is genuinely uncertain. The most common account reads it as a feminine form of Kendrick, a surname that goes back to the Welsh Cynwrig and the Old English Cyneric. Others treat it as a blend, pairing 'Ken' with the endings of Sandra or Andrea. No single old root is settled, so it is best given with a hedge. The name appeared in the US in the early 20th century, gained ground in the 1960s and 1970s, and peaked in the late 1980s. It has been cooling since, sliding from rank 686 to 849 in the 2025 data.
- How do you pronounce Kendra?
- Kendra is pronounced ˈkɛn.drə. Say it as KEN-dra, with the stress on the "ken" syllable.
- How do you spell Kendra?
- The standard spelling is Kendra. Common spelling variants include Kendria, Kendra.
- Is Kendra a boy or girl name?
- Kendra is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Kendra?
- Kendra ranked #849 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.