Find out how popular the first name Kember has been for the last 37 years (from 1987 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kember by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Kember is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kember.

The history of the first name Kember

The given name Kember is believed to have originated from the Old English word "cumb," which means a valley or a hollow place. It is thought to have been a surname initially, derived from a geographical location or a topographical feature, before eventually becoming a first name.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kember can be traced back to the 13th century in England. During this time, surnames were becoming more prevalent, and many were derived from a person's occupation, physical characteristics, or the place they lived. The name Kember likely originated as a surname for someone who lived near a valley or a hollow.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the name Kember was Sir John Kember, a knight who lived in the late 13th century and was known for his military service during the Welsh wars under King Edward I. Another early bearer of the name was William Kember, a landowner and merchant from Sussex, England, who lived in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, the name Kember gained some prominence with the birth of Thomas Kember, an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. He was born in 1555 and lived until 1627.

During the 17th century, a notable figure named Kember was Elizabeth Kember, a Quaker preacher and author who was born in 1644 in Wiltshire, England. She traveled extensively, advocating for religious tolerance and publishing several works on Quaker beliefs.

In the 19th century, one of the most famous individuals with the name Kember was Samuel Kember, an English painter and illustrator known for his depictions of rural life and landscapes. He was born in 1811 and died in 1887.

While the name Kember has its roots in Old English, it has been used across various cultures and regions over time, likely due to its association with geographic features or its adoption as a first name from a surname. Despite its ancient origins, the name Kember continues to be used today, carrying with it a rich history and connection to the English landscape.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kember was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kember, please contact us.

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