Kenai Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Kenai is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Kenai?
Kenai is spelled K-E-N-A-I. The name has 5 letters.
Kenai at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- The name “Kenai” may derive from a geographic location in Alaska, specifically the Kenai Peninsula or Kenai River, though the exact etymology…
- Origin
- Kenai is associated with place names in Alaska, United States, which may influence its use as a given name.
- Pronunciation
- KEE-nye · 2 syllables
Kenai Popularity in 2025
Rank#13,208
Recorded Births6
Rank#710
Recorded Births377
- Girls usage rose 2,085 places to #13,208 and recorded 1 more birth compared with 2024.
- Boys usage rose 62 places to #710 and recorded 50 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Kenai Mean?
The name “Kenai” may derive from a geographic location in Alaska, specifically the Kenai Peninsula or Kenai River, though the exact etymology is uncertain.
Origin: Kenai is associated with place names in Alaska, United States, which may influence its use as a given name.
How Do You Pronounce Kenai?
PronunciationKEE-nye
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Kenai?
- History
- The use of “Kenai” as a personal name is influenced by the geographic region in Alaska known by that name; beyond this association, documented historical details about its use as a name are limited.
Kenai Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2011 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 6 | #13,208 |
| 2025 | Boys | 377 | #710 |
| 2024 | Girls | 5 | #15,293 |
| 2024 | Boys | 327 | #772 |
| 2023 | Girls | 5 | #15,194 |
| 2023 | Boys | 235 | #960 |
| 2022 | Girls | 5 | #15,306 |
| 2022 | Boys | 202 | #1,078 |
| 2021 | Girls | 5 | #15,251 |
| 2021 | Boys | 141 | #1,320 |
| 2020 | Girls | 6 | #13,453 |
| 2020 | Boys | 144 | #1,271 |
| 2019 | Girls | 5 | #15,539 |
| 2019 | Boys | 122 | #1,432 |
| 2018 | Boys | 93 | #1,687 |
| 2017 | Boys | 98 | #1,623 |
| 2016 | Boys | 82 | #1,828 |
| 2015 | Girls | 6 | #14,482 |
| 2015 | Boys | 68 | #2,068 |
| 2014 | Boys | 61 | #2,205 |
| 2013 | Girls | 5 | #16,547 |
| 2013 | Boys | 52 | #2,402 |
| 2012 | Boys | 37 | #3,059 |
| 2011 | Girls | 6 | #14,824 |
When Was Kenai Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2025 · Boys
377 recorded births
National rank #710
2024 · Boys
327 recorded births
National rank #772
2023 · Boys
235 recorded births
National rank #960
2022 · Boys
202 recorded births
National rank #1,078
Where Kenai Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MT | #227 | 5 |
| CO | #329 | 19 |
| WI | #411 | 12 |
| AZ | #432 | 17 |
| ID | #435 | 5 |
| OR | #438 | 8 |
| CT | #440 | 6 |
| NV | #443 | 6 |