I need some background on the name [name]Kenda[/name]. Nameberry simply lists it as an alternate form of [name]Kendra[/name] but two sites I have found list it as being of English derivation meaning child of cool, clear water (one site had what I assume was a simplified translation–water baby) and a number of them list it as Welsh meaning greatest champion or some form thereof (i.e. exalted effigy) and one site had both the Welsh (greatest champion) and a supposed meaning originating with Native American [name]Sioux[/name] as inner magical power. I was hoping since [name]Pam[/name] sometimes comes around here she (or anyone who can help really!) would be able to give some more detailed information on this name and its history. It’s really important to me for reasons close to my heart.
Any information on the history of the name would be very appreciated.
Well it looks like [name]Kendra[/name] is the name derived from the Welsh Cynwrig, “greatest champion.” And some people believe [name]Kenda[/name] to be a variation of [name]Kendra[/name]. My search mostly turned up the English meaning, “water baby,” and the Native American ([name]Dakota[/name]?) “magical power.” I hope you get a trustworthy and authoritative reply from someone!
The [name]Ken[/name]- family of names are a little difficult to track down. Most likely they derive from Gaelic caoin, meaning ‘good-looking.’ It possibly comes from Old English cyne, meaning “royal.” “[name]Rick[/name]” meant ‘power’ in Old English, so a name like [name]Kendrick[/name] kind of meant “power of good looks.” [name]Kendra[/name] is reputed to be a feminine variant of [name]Kendrick[/name], or possible of [name]Kenneth[/name], and [name]Kenda[/name] the same.
Nowhere is their any semantic unit linked to water, which in Irish Gaelic is “uisce” (source of word whiskey) and in Welsh is dwr (“duur”). And if there is a homonym in [name]Lakota[/name], it’s a coincidence.
I’m sorry that I don’t have any more “authoritative” information than anyone else. [name]Blade[/name], thank you for that linguistic insight. I think that you can consider that as accurate an analysis as you’re going to get. A lot of “meanings” you find around for unusual names are pretty much invented but know the root meanings of Welsh or Gaelic words that form parts of the name is very helpful.