Kendia
A name of unknown origin and meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 51 living Americans carry the first name Kendia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kendia today is around 26 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kendia births was 1997 (12 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kendia. 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 Kendia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
51
~ 1 in 6,720,673 Americans
Peak year
1997
12 babies that year
Average age
26
years old
2008 SSA rank
#19,043
Tracked since 1986
Popularity
Kendia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kendia from the 1980s through to the 2000s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 28 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
Kendia 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 Kendia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kendias live
Origin
Meaning and history of Kendia
The name Kendia has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, the classical language of India that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "kanda," which means "root" or "bulb." This suggests that the name may have been associated with plants or vegetation in its earliest origins.
In the ancient Vedic texts of Hinduism, the name Kendia is not explicitly mentioned. However, there are references to various plant-based deities and entities that may have influenced the naming tradition. The name's connection to nature and growth could have held symbolic significance in the early Indian cultures.
The earliest known use of the name Kendia can be traced back to the 5th century CE, during the Gupta Empire period in India. Historical records from this time mention a Buddhist monk named Kendia who was renowned for his teachings and contributions to the spread of Buddhism across South and Southeast Asia.
In the 8th century CE, a notable figure named Kendia was a celebrated poet and scholar in the court of the Pala Empire in Bengal. Her literary works, though now lost, were highly regarded during her time and influenced the cultural and intellectual landscape of the region.
Moving forward to the 12th century CE, a powerful ruler named Kendia ascended to the throne of the Kakatiya dynasty in present-day Telangana, India. Her reign was marked by significant architectural achievements, including the construction of the iconic Thousand Pillars Temple in Warangal, which still stands as a testament to her legacy.
During the 16th century, a prominent figure named Kendia played a pivotal role in the Bhakti movement, a spiritual and devotional renaissance that swept across India. Kendia's compositions and poetry were widely celebrated for their depth and devotional fervor, inspiring generations of followers.
In the 19th century, a renowned artist and sculptor named Kendia emerged from the Bengal region of India. Her intricate works, carved from wood and stone, captured the essence of Indian mythology and folklore, earning her widespread acclaim and a place in the annals of Indian art history.
Throughout its long history, the name Kendia has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, rulers, artists, and spiritual leaders. While its origins may be rooted in ancient Sanskrit and the natural world, the name has transcended time and cultures, leaving an indelible mark on the rich tapestry of human experience.
People
Kendia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kendia 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
Kendia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kendia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 51 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kendia 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 6,720,673 US residents.
Is Kendia a common name?
We classify Kendia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 54.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 52 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kendia most popular?
The single biggest year for Kendia was 1997, when 12 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kendia is about 26 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kendia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kendia 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.
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.