Kenna

At a Glance

Meaning

Descendant of Cionaodh, the Gaelic name behind 'Kenneth'

Origin

Scottish/Irish (surname: McKenna / Ó Cionaodha)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

KEN-ahListen

Kenna is a clean, modern-feeling name for a girl, pronounced KEN-ah. It comes from the Scottish and Irish surname McKenna (Ó Cionaodha), meaning "descendant of Cionaodh," the Gaelic name behind Kenneth. You may see it described as a form of Kenneth meaning "handsome," but that's not accurate: Kenna is better documented as a surname only indirectly linked to Kenneth's Gaelic root, not a direct equivalent.

Meaning & Origin of Kenna

Meaning: Descendant of Cionaodh, the Gaelic name behind 'Kenneth'.

Origin: Scottish/Irish (surname: McKenna / Ó Cionaodha).

A common claim: form of Kenneth, meaning 'handsome' Actually: Kenna is better documented as a surname (McKenna/Ó Cionaodha) only indirectly linked to Kenneth's Gaelic root — not a direct equivalent meaning 'handsome'.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Kenna

Popularity of Kenna

Kenna peaked at #661 in 2016, when 444 girls were given the name, and by 2024 it had eased to #725 with 388 girls. That keeps it familiar without being common.

Names Like Kenna

These names share Kenna’s style, era or origin.

• Blair
• Camryn
• Kamryn
• Kylee
• McKinley
• Mckenzie

FAQ

What does the name Kenna mean?

Descendant of Cionaodh, the Gaelic name behind ‘Kenneth’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Kenna?

Kenna is pronounced KEN-ah (IPA: /ˈkɛnə/).

Is Kenna a popular name right now?

Kenna is near its all-time peak (#661 in 2016), ranked #725 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1915–2024.)

Make Kenna Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Kenna, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.