UK boy's name
Kendan
Of Basque origin, denoting the heir or successor.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kendan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kendan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2014 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Kendan is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Kendan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kendan ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 3 boys were registered as Kendan.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kendan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4632
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Kendan mean?
The name Kendan is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic language and culture. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words "ceann" meaning "head" and "dan" meaning "chief" or "leader". This suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who were considered leaders or chieftains of their clans or tribes.
The earliest known reference to the name Kendan can be found in ancient Celtic folklore and legends, where it was often associated with tales of bravery, wisdom, and strength. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time period or geographical region where the name first gained popularity.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Kendan was a Celtic warrior and chieftain who lived in the 5th century AD. He is said to have led his clan in numerous battles against invading forces, earning a reputation for his fearless leadership and strategic prowess.
In the 9th century, a Kendan was mentioned in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. This Kendan was noted as a prominent scholar and poet, renowned for his extensive knowledge of Celtic literature and culture.
During the Middle Ages, the name Kendan was associated with several notable figures in various regions of Europe. One such individual was Kendan of Lindisfarne, a monk and scribe who lived in the 7th century. He is credited with creating some of the earliest illuminated manuscripts and religious texts in the Anglo-Saxon tradition.
Another notable figure was Kendan the Wise, a 12th-century philosopher and theologian from the Rhineland region of Germany. His writings and teachings on ethics and morality were highly influential during his time and for centuries to come.
In the 16th century, a Kendan was recorded as a renowned explorer and navigator from the Scottish Highlands. He is said to have led several expeditions to the uncharted waters of the North Atlantic, contributing to the expansion of maritime knowledge and the development of navigation techniques.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Kendan. While the exact origins and meanings of the name may have evolved over time, it has maintained a strong association with leadership, wisdom, and a connection to the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Celts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Kendan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kendan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4632 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kendan
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kendan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kendan in the UK right now?
In 2014, Kendan was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kendan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 3 babies registered as Kendan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kendan?
Of Basque origin, denoting the heir or successor.
How many people are called Kendan in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Kendan across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.