Kendra in Chinese
Kendra in Chinese is 肯德拉 (Kěn Dé Lā).
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- royal power
Kendra is a name of English origin, generally understood to mean "royal power". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1936 and peaked in 1987.
3 ways to write Kendra
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
肯德拉
Kěn Dé Lā
The standard transliteration of Kendra: 肯 (kěn, "willing"), 德 (dé, "virtue, morality"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 2-syllable English name is spread over 3 characters: 肯 kěn + 德 dé + 拉 lā. The tone contour is 3-2-1 (dipping, rising, high level).
Character breakdown
31 strokes total (simplified)- 肯
kěn
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
willing
- 德
dé
Tone 2 · 15 strokes (simplified)
virtue, morality
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
华薇
Huá Wēi
Inspired by "royal power": 华 (huá, "splendid, magnificent; China") + 薇 (wēi, "rose; wild vetch"), expressing nobility and greatness.
Why these characters?
华 (splendid, magnificent; China) answers the "royal" in Kendra's meaning, and 薇 (rose; wild vetch) rounds it off as a typical ending for girls' names.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 华
huá
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
splendid, magnificent; China
- 薇
wēi
Tone 1 · 16 strokes (simplified)
rose; wild vetch
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
珂嘉
Kē Jiā
珂 (kē, "jade-like stone") + 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 肯, this uses 珂 (kē, "jade-like stone") for the "ken" sound, then 嘉 ("excellent, praiseworthy") for meaning.
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 珂
kē
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
jade-like stone
- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 94,720 girls named Kendra since 1936, with the high point in 1987 (3,841 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #117 to #431 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1987
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1936
- Total since 1880
- 94,720
More About Kendra in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Kendra offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Kendra, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Trinity in Chinese, Madelyn in Chinese, and Ana in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Natasha in Chinese, Gabriela in Chinese, and Brandi in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Kendra, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Kendra to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kendra in Chinese characters?
肯德拉 (Kěn Dé Lā), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Kendra with real meaning?
Try 华薇 (Huá Wēi): splendid, magnificent; China + rose; wild vetch, inspired by "royal power". For something that still sounds like Kendra, 珂嘉 (Kē Jiā) is a middle ground.
How many strokes does 肯德拉 have?
31 strokes in simplified form; per character: 肯 8, 德 15, 拉 8.