← All names

Kenny

Boy name · 139 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kenny: 139 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 11 births in 1982.

The name Kenny began as a Scottish and Irish diminutive of Kenneth, which itself comes from the Gaelic *Cinaed* or *Coinneach*, meaning "born of fire" or "handsome." Perhaps the most famous bearer is Kenny Dalglish, the legendary footballer who played for Celtic and Liverpool before managing both clubs, becoming a beloved figure in Scottish sport. Pop culture brought us Kenny McCormick from *South Park*, the perpetually unlucky parka-clad character. While no major settlements derive directly from Kenny, the unrelated Kenyan capital Nairobi shares no linguistic link. The name saw a distinct popularity spike in Scotland during the 1970s, likely reflecting Dalglish’s early career. Variants include the full form Kenneth and the anglicised Ken, while the feminine Kenna has gained modern appeal.