Kent
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning bright rim or edge of the coast.
Babies a year
139
the US, 2017
Rarity
Rare
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
—
outside the ONS list
Kent by the numbers
Kent was given to 139 American babies in 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
Its American peak was 2,584 babies in 1962, so it is a 1960s name that has since fallen a long way.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Kent. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean light
Like Kent, each of these has light in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Lucasbringer of light; from Lucania12,963 in the US (2017)
- Lukefrom Lucania; light9,168 in the US (2017)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Lucabringer of light3,266 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elliottbright fame; a form of Elijah2,996 in the US (2017)
- Elliotbright fame; a form of Elijah544 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Kent
Nobody has voted for Kent yet
Vote for Kent and put it up against all the other baby names
Vote for Kent