UK boy's name
Kendon
Derived from an English surname of unknown origin and meaning.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kendon is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kendon popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2008 to 2009. 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.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Kendon. 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 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kendon ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 3 boys were registered as Kendon.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kendon as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Kendon mean?
The name Kendon is a unique and relatively uncommon name with its origins tracing back to Old English. It is derived from the combination of two words: "cen" meaning "bold" or "brave," and "don" meaning "hill" or "down." Together, the name Kendon can be interpreted to mean "brave hill" or "bold down."
This name has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon culture that flourished in Britain during the 5th to 11th centuries. It is likely that the name was initially used as a descriptive term for someone who lived on a prominent hill or elevated terrain, and was known for their courageous or fearless nature.
While the name Kendon does not appear to have any significant historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been recorded in various historical records and documents throughout the centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kendon can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as a place name, suggesting that it may have been derived from a location or settlement.
In the 14th century, a man named Kendon de Burleigh was mentioned in the rolls of the English Parliament, indicating that the name was in use during that time period.
Fast forward to the 16th century, a notable figure named Kendon Digby (1520-1567) was an English Jesuit priest and scholar, known for his work in theology and philosophy.
Another historical figure bearing this name was Kendon Stokes (1825-1902), a British painter and illustrator who gained recognition for his landscape paintings and illustrations for books and magazines.
In more recent history, Kendon Underwood (1914-1976) was an American author and journalist, best known for his novels and short stories set in the American West.
While the name Kendon may not be as widely recognized as some other names, it has a rich history and a unique meaning that reflects the bold and courageous spirit of those who bore it throughout the ages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kendon over time
The chart below shows babies named Kendon registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kendon, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kendon by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kendon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4480 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Kendon
- 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
Kendon: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kendon in the UK right now?
In 2009, Kendon was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kendon most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 3 babies registered as Kendon in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kendon?
Derived from an English surname of unknown origin and meaning.
How many people are called Kendon in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Kendon across the 2 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.