Kenton is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word 'kenet', which means 'warlike' or 'brave'. The name Kenton was likely brought to England by the Anglo-Saxons, who were a Germanic tribe that settled in Britain during the late fifth and early sixth centuries.
The name Kenton has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing this name including Sir John Kenton, an English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France, and Kenton, Lord Buckland, a British politician of the late 19th century.
Today, Kenton continues to be a popular choice for parents naming their sons. It is often associated with strength, bravery, and warrior-like qualities due to its meaning. Some famous individuals named Kenton in recent times include Kenton Duty, an American actor known for his role in the Disney series Shake It Up!, and Kenton Cool, a British mountaineer who has successfully climbed Mount Everest 12 times.
Overall, Kenton is a strong and powerful name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its association with bravery and warrior-like qualities makes it an attractive choice for parents looking to give their son a name that carries significant meaning.
The name Kenton has seen a varied pattern of popularity over the years in the United States, with fluctuations ranging from single-digit births to peak periods with over 180 births in a year.
In the early 20th century, Kenton's popularity was relatively low but consistent. Between 1912 and 1923, there were an average of about 17 Kentons born each year, with numbers ranging from a low of 8 in 1912 to a high of 28 in 1922.
The 1930s saw some variation in popularity. After a dip to just 18 births in 1930, the number of Kentons born annually rebounded to around 40 between 1931 and 1937. This trend continued until the late 1940s, with fluctuations but generally consistent numbers of births each year.
From the mid-1950s onwards, Kenton's popularity began to rise significantly. Between 1954 and 1968, there were over 130 Kentons born annually on average, peaking at 174 in 1958. However, this popularity was short-lived as the number of births started declining from the late 1960s.
The 1970s and 1980s saw a steady decrease in the number of Kentons born each year, with numbers hovering around 100 annually until the late 1980s. There was a brief uptick in popularity in the early 1990s, but overall, Kenton has seen fewer births since then.
In recent years, there have been approximately 100-200 Kentons born each year, with notable peaks in 2012 and 2014 (both with 188 births). However, the most recent data from 2021 and 2022 shows a significant decrease, with only 96 and 74 births respectively.
In total, over the period from 1912 to 2023, there have been approximately 11,115 Kentons born in the United States. Despite its ups and downs in popularity, Kenton remains a distinctive and unique name choice for parents looking for something different.