Kenari
A feminine name of Indonesian origin meaning "canary bird".
Name Census estimates that about 35 living Americans carry the first name Kenari. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 85.7% of registrations being female. The average person named Kenari today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kenari births was 2021 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kenari. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Kenari. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
35
~ 1 in 9,792,981 Americans
Peak year
2021
7 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2022 SSA rank
#12,754
Tracked since 2014
Gender
Gender distribution for Kenari
Kenari leans heavily female at 85.7% of total registrations, but 5 boys have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Kenari as a male name
- Ranked #13,370 in 2022
- 5 male births in 2022
- Peak: 2022 (5 births)
Kenari as a female name
- Ranked #12,754 in 2024
- 7 female births in 2024
- Peak: 2021 (7 births)
Popularity
Kenari: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kenari from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 24 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kenari by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Kenari during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kenari
The name Kenari is believed to have originated from the Malay language, spoken primarily in Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of southern Thailand. It is likely derived from the word "kenari," which refers to a type of tropical nut tree known as the Canarium indicum or the Java almond tree.
In Malay culture, names are often inspired by natural elements, such as plants, animals, or celestial bodies. The Canarium indicum tree holds significant cultural and economic importance in the region, as its edible nuts are widely consumed and used in various traditional dishes and confections.
The earliest recorded usage of the name Kenari can be traced back to the 16th century, during the height of the Malacca Sultanate, a powerful Malay kingdom that controlled the strategic Strait of Malacca. Historical records from this period suggest that the name was bestowed upon individuals, possibly as a symbol of prosperity, fertility, or connection to nature.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Kenari was a prominent Malay trader and navigator who lived during the late 16th century. Known for his expertise in maritime navigation, he played a crucial role in facilitating trade between the Malay Archipelago and neighboring regions.
In the 18th century, a renowned Malay artist and calligrapher named Kenari bin Abdullah gained recognition for his intricate and beautifully crafted works of art. His calligraphic pieces adorned numerous palaces and mosques throughout the region and are still celebrated today as masterpieces of Islamic art.
Another significant figure with the name Kenari was a respected Malay scholar and religious leader who lived in the late 19th century. He was widely regarded for his deep knowledge of Islamic teachings and his efforts in promoting education and religious understanding among the local communities.
During the early 20th century, a Malay activist and politician named Kenari Ahmad played a pivotal role in the struggle for independence from colonial rule. He was a vocal advocate for Malay rights and actively campaigned for the establishment of a sovereign Malay nation.
In more recent times, a renowned Malay chef and restaurateur named Kenari Salleh has gained international acclaim for his innovative fusion cuisine, blending traditional Malay flavors with modern culinary techniques. His award-winning restaurants have introduced the vibrant flavors of Malay cooking to a global audience.
People
Kenari + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kenari as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kenari: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kenari?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 35 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kenari going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 9,792,981 US residents.
Is Kenari a common name?
We classify Kenari as "Very Rare". It ranks above 48.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 35 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kenari most popular?
The single biggest year for Kenari was 2021, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kenari is about 6 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Kenari in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Kenari a female name?
Yes, 85.7% of people registered as Kenari in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Kenari still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Kenari in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Kenari can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Kenari?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.