Kendra

What does Kendra mean?

Kendra carries a sense of authority and warmth rooted in Old English name elements that suggest royal power. The name reads as both approachable and assertive, giving an impression of someone steady and capable.

In tone, Kendra feels modern yet grounded. It balances strength and femininity, and often conjures associations with practical intelligence and quiet confidence. It sits comfortably alongside names like Kenneth and Kendrick, sharing a similar energetic core without feeling overly traditional.

Historical Context

The precise history of Kendra is not straightforward. It likely arose in English-speaking countries as a feminine form or adaptation of names built on the element ken or cyne, meaning royal or noble, which appears in older names such as Kenneth and Kendrick. Over time parents and authors shaped Kendra into a distinct feminine form rather than a direct derivative of a single masculine name.

Its rise in use is largely modern, becoming more common in the later twentieth century as families sought names that felt familiar but not dated. While its root elements reach back to Old English and related Celtic forms, Kendra itself is most often heard as a contemporary English given name rather than a historically continuous medieval name.

Popularity of Kendra over time

In 2025, Kendra was given to 320 girls in the US. Kendra has declined sharply over the last 20 years, but remains an uncommon girls' name in the US.

What do parents think of Kendra?