Boy names that start with K
These 199 K boy names run from Kaan to Kyrillos, each with its meaning and origin. The most popular in the US in 2025 were Kai, Kayden and Knox.
Variant of Caden, a modern name popular for its sound (English). No. 237 in the US in 2025, 1,476 babies.
BoyEnglishFalling
Kristoffer
Bearer of Christ (Greek). No. 7,025 in the US in 2025, 12 babies.
BoyScandinavian
Kazuo
Man of harmony (depends on characters) (Japanese). No. 12,988 in the US in 2025, 5 babies.
BoyJapanese
Kazuya
Harmony, peace (depends on kanji) (Japanese). No. 12,989 in the US in 2025, 5 babies.
BoyJapanese
Kiyoshi
Pure, clean (depends on characters) (Japanese). No. 8,618 in the US in 2025, 9 babies.
BoyJapanese
Bearing Christ (Greek). No. 1,103 in the US in 2025, 195 babies. Given to both: 52% girls.
BoyEnglishRising
Kofi
Born on Friday (Akan). No. 3,279 in the US in 2025, 36 babies.
BoyAfrican
Khorshid
Shining sun (Persian)
UnisexPersian
Konstantinos
Steadfast, constant (Latin). No. 4,002 in the US in 2025, 27 babies.
BoyGreek
Kuldeep
Lamp of the family (Punjabi)
BoyIndian
Keenan
Little ancient one (Irish Gaelic). No. 1,307 in the US in 2025, 149 babies.
BoyEnglish
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Most popular boy names starting with K in 2025
Ranked by the number of US babies given each name. Each spelling is counted on its own.
| US rank | Name | Babies | 10-year trend | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #93 | Kai | 3,768 | Steady | the sea |
| #135 | Kayden | 2,678 | Steady | variant of Caden; meaning unknown, popular for its -den sound |
| #196 | Knox | 1,836 | Steady | round hill |
| #204 | Kingston | 1,725 | Steady | king's town |
| #221 | Kevin | 1,628 | Falling | gentle birth |
| #226 | Kairo | 1,577 | Rising | variant of Cairo, from a place name meaning the victorious |
| #237 | Kaiden | 1,476 | Falling | variant of Caden, a modern name popular for its sound |
| #244 | Kyrie | 1,416 | Steady | modern coinage from the sounds of Tyree and Kyle |
| #264 | Kayson | 1,305 | Steady | variant of Cason, a surname from Cawston, Kálfr's town |
| #269 | Koa | 1,281 | Rising | brave, warrior |
| #270 | Karter | 1,265 | Steady | variant of Carter, a surname meaning one who uses a cart |
| #286 | Kash | 1,183 | Steady | variant of Cash, from a surname for a box maker |
| #294 | Kenneth | 1,148 | Steady | anglicized Coinneach, handsome, and Cináed, perhaps born of fire |
| #295 | Kaleb | 1,143 | Falling | variant of Caleb, most likely dog; or whole heart |
| #296 | Kohen | 1,143 | Rising | variant of Cohen, from a Jewish surname meaning priest |
| #328 | Kaden | 1,034 | Steady | – |
| #349 | Kade | 943 | Steady | – |
| #364 | Kaizen | 895 | Steady | – |
| #367 | Kyaire | 878 | Steady | – |
| #375 | Kayce | 843 | Steady | – |
| #384 | Khalil | 826 | Steady | friend, companion |
| #389 | Kieran | 817 | Steady | little dark one |
| #391 | Kamari | 811 | Steady | – |
| #400 | Kashton | 797 | Steady | – |
| #401 | Kian | 797 | Steady | ancient, enduring |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 2025. Trend compares the rank with ten years earlier.
K names by the numbers
How many US babies get a name starting with K, counted from Social Security records of names given to at least 5 babies.
Boys
- Share of boys, 2025
- 5.1%
- Place among 26 letters
- 7th
- Different K names
- 1,329
- In the top 1,000
- 74
Share of boys with a K name: 2.4% in 1950, 3.9% in 2000, and 5.1% in 2025.
K boy names used in many cultures
Names our database lists in the most languages and countries, easy to spell and say in several of them.
- Kennethanglicized Coinneach, handsome, and Cináed, perhaps born of fire (Scottish Gaelic)
- Kevingentle birth (Irish Gaelic)
- Klausvictory of the people (Greek)
- Konradbold counsel (Germanic)
- Kabirgreat (Arabic)
- Kaithe sea (Hawaiian)
- Kaisea (Japanese)
- Kamalperfection (Arabic)
- Kamilperfect, complete (Arabic)
- Karimgenerous, noble (Arabic)
- Karlfree man (Germanic)
- Kedardark (Hebrew)
- Keeganson of Aodhagán, little fire (Irish Gaelic)
- Keenanlittle ancient one (Irish Gaelic)
- Keirthicket, marsh (Scots)
- Kelvinfrom the River Kelvin (Scottish place name)
- Kenzieson of the handsome one (Scottish Gaelic)
- Kerrthicket, marsh (Scots)
Where these names come from
- Hawaiian: 34
- Japanese: 32
- Greek: 12
- Arabic: 11
- Latin: 10
- Germanic: 10
- Sanskrit: 10
- Hebrew: 9
All 199 boy names that start with K
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaan | ruler, khan | Turkish | Boy |
| Kabir | great | Arabic | Boy |
| Kaede | maple | Japanese | Unisex |
| Kağan | king, ruler | Turkish | Boy |
| Kagiso | peace | Tswana | Unisex |
| Kahiau | giving generously | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kai | the sea | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kai | sea | Japanese | Boy |
| Kaiden | variant of Caden, a modern name popular for its sound | English | Boy |
| Kaimana | a diamond | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kaimi | the seeker | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kainoa | the name | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kaipo | the sweetheart | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kairi | sea and village, written 海里 | Japanese | Unisex |
| Kairo | variant of Cairo, from a place name meaning the victorious | Arabic | Boy |
| Kaito | sea and soaring (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kajetan | from Gaeta | Latin | Boy |
| Kakeru | to soar, fly | Japanese | Boy |
| Kalama | the torch | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kalani | the sky, the heavens | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kale | free man | Germanic | Boy |
| Kaleb | variant of Caleb, most likely dog; or whole heart | Hebrew | Boy |
| Kalei | the lei | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kaleo | the voice | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kali | the black one | Sanskrit | Unisex |
| Kamaka | the eye, the face | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kamakani | the wind | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kamal | perfection | Arabic | Boy |
| Kamal ad-Din | perfection of the faith | Arabic | Boy |
| Kamalani | heavenly child, royal child | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kamil | perfect, complete | Arabic | Boy |
| Kamran | successful, fortunate | Persian | Boy |
| Kanade | to play music | Japanese | Unisex |
| Kanata | far away, beyond (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kang | healthy, peaceful (depends on characters) | Chinese | Boy |
| Kaniela | God is my judge | Hebrew | Boy |
| Kannan | dark one, Tamil form of Krishna | Tamil | Boy |
| Kanoa | the free one | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kaoru | fragrance | Japanese | Unisex |
| Kapena | captain | English | Boy |
| Kapono | the righteous one | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kapua | the flower | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Karan | clever, skillful | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Karel | free man | Germanic | Boy |
| Karim | generous, noble | Arabic | Boy |
| Karl | free man | Germanic | Boy |
| Karl-Heinz | free man plus home ruler | Germanic | Boy |
| Karol | free man | Germanic | Boy |
| Karsten | follower of Christ | Latin | Boy |
| Karter | variant of Carter, a surname meaning one who uses a cart | English | Boy |
| Kartik | of the Pleiades | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Kash | variant of Cash, from a surname for a box maker | Norman French | Boy |
| Katashi | hard, firm (depends on kanji) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kathir | ray of light | Tamil | Boy |
| Kato | second-born of twin boys | Luganda | Boy |
| Kauʻi | the youthful one | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kaulana | famous, renowned | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kawai | the water | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kawehi | the adornment | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kawika | beloved one | Hebrew | Boy |
| Kayden | variant of Caden; meaning unknown, popular for its -den sound | English | Boy |
| Kaykhosrow | seer of good fame | Avestan | Boy |
| Kayode | he brought joy | Yoruba | Boy |
| Kayra | kindness, favor | Turkish | Unisex |
| Kayson | variant of Cason, a surname from Cawston, Kálfr's town | English | Boy |
| Kazimierz | destroyer of peace | Slavic | Boy |
| Kazuki | harmony and tree (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kazumi | harmony and beauty | Japanese | Unisex |
| Kazuo | man of harmony (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kazuya | harmony, peace (depends on kanji) | Japanese | Boy |
| Keahi | the fire | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Keahi | the fire | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Keala | the path | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kealiʻi | the chief, the royal one | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kealoha | the loved one | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Keanu | the cool breeze | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kedar | dark | Hebrew | Boy |
| Keegan | son of Aodhagán, little fire | Irish Gaelic | Boy |
| Keelan | slender one | Irish Gaelic | Boy |
| Keenan | little ancient one | Irish Gaelic | Boy |
| Kehinde | second-born of twins | Yoruba | Unisex |
| Kei | blessing; wisdom (depends on characters) | Japanese | Unisex |
| Keir | thicket, marsh | Scots | Boy |
| Keisuke | gemstone helper (depends on kanji) | Japanese | Boy |
| Keita | enlightened and big (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kekai | the sea | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kekoa | the brave one | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kelechi | thank God | Igbo | Unisex |
| Kelsey | Cēol's island | Old English | Unisex |
| Kelvin | from the River Kelvin | Scottish place name | Boy |
| Kemal | perfection, maturity | Arabic | Boy |
| Ken | healthy, strong; sword (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kendall | valley of the River Kent | English | Unisex |
| Kenelm | bold helmet | Old English | Boy |
| Kenichi | healthy first son (depends on kanji) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kenji | healthy second son (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kenneth | anglicized Coinneach, handsome, and Cináed, perhaps born of fire | Scottish Gaelic | Boy |
| Kenshin | humility and trust | Japanese | Boy |
| Kenta | healthy and stout (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kentaro | healthy eldest son (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kenzie | son of the handsome one | Scottish Gaelic | Unisex |
| Kenzo | healthy third son (depends on kanji) | Japanese | Boy |
| Keoki | farmer | Greek | Boy |
| Keola | the life | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Keone | the homeland | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Keoni | God is gracious | Hebrew | Boy |
| Kerem | generosity, nobility | Arabic | Boy |
| Kerr | thicket, marsh | Scots | Boy |
| Kerry | Ciar's people | Irish Gaelic | Unisex |
| Kesar | saffron | Sanskrit | Unisex |
| Kesha | short form of Innokenty, innocent | Latin | Boy |
| Keshet | rainbow | Hebrew | Unisex |
| Ketil | kettle or cauldron | Old Norse | Boy |
| Kevin | gentle birth | Irish Gaelic | Boy |
| Keyvan | Saturn | Persian | Boy |
| Kfir | lion cub | Hebrew | Boy |
| Khalid | eternal, everlasting | Arabic | Boy |
| Khalil | friend, companion | Arabic | Boy |
| Khashayar | ruler over heroes | Old Persian | Boy |
| Khayr ad-Din | goodness of the faith | Arabic | Boy |
| Khodadad | God-given | Persian | Boy |
| Khorshid | shining sun | Persian | Unisex |
| Khosrow | of good reputation | Persian | Boy |
| Kian | ancient, enduring | Irish Gaelic | Boy |
| Kichiro | lucky son | Japanese | Boy |
| Kieran | little dark one | Irish Gaelic | Boy |
| Killian | little church | Irish Gaelic | Boy |
| Kimo | supplanter, holder of the heel | Hebrew | Boy |
| Kingsley | king's wood | Old English | Boy |
| Kingston | king's town | Old English | Boy |
| Kiran | ray of light | Sanskrit | Unisex |
| Kirill | lordly, from Greek kyrios | Greek | Boy |
| Kit | bearing Christ | Greek | Boy |
| Kiyoshi | pure, clean (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kıvanç | pleasure, joy | Turkish | Boy |
| Kjell | kettle or cauldron, later also helmet | Old Norse | Boy |
| Klaas | victory of the people | Greek | Boy |
| Klaus | victory of the people | Greek | Boy |
| Kliment | merciful | Latin | Boy |
| Knox | round hill | Old English | Boy |
| Knut | a knot | Old Norse | Boy |
| Koa | brave, warrior | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Koen | bold counsel | Germanic | Boy |
| Kofi | born on Friday | Akan | Boy |
| Kohaku | amber | Japanese | Unisex |
| Kohen | variant of Cohen, from a Jewish surname meaning priest | Hebrew | Boy |
| Koichi | prosperous first son (depends on kanji) | Japanese | Boy |
| Koji | vast, second son (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kojo | born on Monday | Akan | Boy |
| Koki | light and radiance (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kokumo | will not die again | Yoruba | Unisex |
| Kolbjörn | coal-black bear | Old Norse | Boy |
| Koldo | short form of the Basque version of Louis | Germanic | Boy |
| Kolya | short form of Nikolai, victory of the people | Greek | Boy |
| Kona | leeward side | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kōnane | bright, as in bright moonlight | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Kondwani | rejoice, be happy | Chichewa | Boy |
| Konrad | bold counsel | Germanic | Boy |
| Konstantin | constant, steadfast | Latin | Boy |
| Konstantinos | steadfast, constant | Latin | Boy |
| Konstanty | constant, steadfast | Latin | Boy |
| Koray | ember moon | Turkish | Boy |
| Korbinian | raven | Latin | Boy |
| Korhan | ember and khan, ruler | Turkish | Boy |
| Kosmas | order, decency | Greek | Boy |
| Kosoko | no more hoes to dig a grave | Yoruba | Unisex |
| Kostas | steadfast, constant | Latin | Boy |
| Kostya | short form of Konstantin, constant | Latin | Boy |
| Kosuke | peaceful helper (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kota | peaceful and big (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Kotaro | tiger and eldest son (depends on characters) | Japanese | Boy |
| Krishanu | fire | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Krishna | black, dark | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Krishna | black, dark | Sanskrit | Unisex |
| Kristoffer | bearer of Christ | Greek | Boy |
| Krzysztof | bearing Christ | Greek | Boy |
| Ksawery | new house | Basque | Boy |
| Kuba | pet form of Jakub | Polish | Boy |
| Kudzai | honor, praise | Shona | Unisex |
| Kuldeep | lamp of the family | Punjabi | Boy |
| Kumapayi | death should not kill this one | Yoruba | Unisex |
| Kunal | lotus | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Kunibert | bright clan | Germanic | Boy |
| Kūpaʻa | steadfast, loyal | Hawaiian | Boy |
| Kurt | bold counsel | Germanic | Boy |
| Kush | kusha grass | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Kutay | lucky moon | Turkish | Boy |
| Kuzey | north | Turkish | Boy |
| Kuzma | order, decency | Greek | Boy |
| Kveldulf | evening wolf | Old Norse | Boy |
| Kwabena | born on Tuesday | Akan | Boy |
| Kwadwo | born on Monday | Akan | Boy |
| Kwaku | born on Wednesday | Akan | Boy |
| Kwame | born on Saturday | Akan | Boy |
| Kwasi | born on Sunday | Akan | Boy |
| Kyle | narrow strait | Scottish Gaelic | Boy |
| Kyriakos | of the lord | Greek | Boy |
| Kyrie | modern coinage from the sounds of Tyree and Kyle | English | Boy |
| Kyrillos | lordly | Greek | Boy |
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular boy names that start with K?
The most popular boy names starting with K in the US are Kai (#93), Kayden (#135), Knox (#196), Kingston (#204), Kevin (#221), according to US Social Security Administration data for 2025.
How many boy names start with K?
In 2025, 1,329 different boy names starting with K were given to at least 5 US babies each, and 74 of them were in the top 1,000. This page lists 199 with their meaning and origin.
How common are boy names that start with K?
5.1% of US boys born in 2025 have a name starting with K, making it the 7th most common first letter. In 1950 it was 2.4%.
Where do boy names starting with K come from?
The most common origins on this list are Hawaiian (34), Japanese (32), Greek (12).