Boy Names Starting with K: Royal King to Rising Kai

Boy names starting with K tend towards the trending.

There’s Kevin, of course, a name that helped define a generation, from classic Christmas movie Home Alone to Kevinism, a term for the German (and elsewhere in Europe) dislike of so-called American names.

More recently, Kayden (and Kaiden and Kaden) dominated K names for boys. Plenty of choices on this list are even more popular when spelled with a C, making K feel creative … or at least slightly different.

Now brief and breezy Kai, with Hawaiian roots and international appeal, is the rising K name to beat.

K is also the letter of classic choices from another era or language, like the Scottish Kenneth or the Persian Kian.

It’s the seventh most popular letter for boy names, behind J, A, L, M, C, and E. That means a big percentage of our sons answer to boy names starting with K.

Let’s dive in!

MOST POPULAR BOY NAMES STARTING WITH K

KAI (#76)

This name means ocean in Hawaiian. But it coincides with many similar names, including a Knight of the Round Table and the little boy in the original Snow Queen fairy tale.

KAYDEN (#125)

Irish surname Caden is far more common spelled with a K – and a Y, too. Kayden’s rise tracked with the popularity of Aiden; now, the names are slowly falling in use.

KINGSTON (#178)

The capital of Jamaica, regal Kingston caught parents’ attention after Gwen Stefani named her firstborn Kingston two decades ago.

KEVIN (#196)

In the US, Kevin has transitioned to a dad name. (After all, Home Alone came out in 1990. That means Kevin is now in his 40s.) Back in the 1920s and 30s, it was leaping up the US popularity charts, only to become a staple from the 1950s well into the early 2000s.

KAIDEN (#207)

Another possible spelling of this popular name.

KNOX (#209)

As in Fort Knox, the home of the US Bullion Repository – where we keep all the gold. Knox simply means “hill,” from an Old English word.

KYRIE (#235)

The phrase Kyrie eleison means Lord have mercy, from the Greek kyrios – lord. That makes Kyrie a name a little bit like King. But it owes much of its popularity to basketball’s Kyrie Irving.

KAIRO (#238)

From storied Egyptian city Cairo.

KARTER (#248)

Preppy and presidential surname name Carter is sometimes spelled with a K.

KALEB (#278)

Old Testament Caleb, too, is occasionally spelled with a K.

KENNETH (#284)

As Scottish as Malcolm, Kenneth was popularized by Sir Walter Scott’s 1825 novel The Talisman. In our post-Barbie moment, is Ken ready for a comeback?

KAYSON (#291)

Kayden meets Mason.

KOA (#292)

Following Kai and Noah, Koa is a Hawaiian tree name meaning warrior.

KASH (#293)

Cash with a K. Though it’s also sometimes heard as an Indian name, or a short form of longer names with Sanskrit roots. One example: early seasons of Shameless included a character named Kash.

KADEN (#304)

One more entry in the Kayden/Kaiden contest.

KOHEN (#318)

A take on sometimes-controversial surname Cohen.

KING (#342)

Some will see King as regal and grand. Others might think of it as spiritual – a reference to Christ the King – or a hero name, as in Martin Luther King, Jr.

KADE (#345)

A surname name with multiple origins and meanings, Kade feels like a very twenty-first century name.

KYLER (#357)

A Kyle-Tyler mash-up, Kyler fits right in with so many surname choices for our sons. Spelling Kylar adds some influence from popular unisex name Skylar.

KILLIAN (#369)

More often spelled Cillian in Ireland, the K version is the Anglicized form.

KYLO (#373)

Borrowed from Star Wars’ Kylo Ren – though the name’s popularity has continued to rise long after the movies have left theaters.

KAMARI (#386)

Add a K to stylish sound Amari, and you’ll arrive at Kamari. The names might come from Ammar, an Arabic name meaning long life.

KHALIL (#390)

An accessible Arabic choice, Khalil means friend. Author Khalil Gibran makes it even more familiar.

KASHTON (#395)

Kash meets Ashton.

KARSON (#397)

Preppy surname Carson hits a little different with a K.

KOBE (#409)

The tragic 2020 death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant sent his name racing up the popularity charts in the years immediately following. His name ultimately comes from the Japanese city.

KIAN (#416)

Either a Persian name meaning king or a name right out of Irish myth.

KAYCE (#419)

A Casey/Case cousin, boosted from obscurity to the spotlight, thanks to Yellowstone.

KAMERON (#428)

Another possible spelling for popular Scottish surname Cameron.

KANE (#431)

Cain engaged in the original case of (extreme) sibling rivalry. But Kane is an Irish surname name, straightforward and strong. Spelling Kain is also sometimes seen.

KYLE (#439)

An 80s and 90s favorite, Kyle is another K name for boys with Scottish roots.

KIERAN (#440)

Another Irish option, Kieran means – roughly – little dark one. It’s more typically Ciaran in Ireland, but this is the preferred English spelling.

KYLIAN (#459)

The French form of Killian, one that sidesteps the first syllable of KILLian. Made famous by a footballer, Kylian Mbappe.

KODA (#464)

Native American name Koda briefly popped into the US popularity data following the release of 2003’s Brother Bear. It quickly fell out of use, but re-entered the rankings in 2016. This time around, it’s probably more about the sound and our growing love of boy names ending with -a.

KYSON (#465)

Take the Ky- from Kyle and Kai and add the popular -son ending.

KENDRICK (#478)

A surname name meaning royal power, Kendrick got a boost from rapper Kendrick Lamar.

KAIZEN (#506)

In the world of business, Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning “continuous improvement.” In naming, it’s a mash-up of Kai and Zen, one that’s close to favorites like Kyson. Worth noting: Chozen has been a big riser in recent years, too.

KAISON (#513)

A mix of stylish sounds, but this spelling is potentially ambiguous. Is it Kyson or Kayson?

KOLTON (#529)

Another K take on a popular surname-style choice.

KYLAN (#532)

Kyle plus Ryan = Kylan.

KASEN (#554)

Another possible spelling for Kason.

KASON (#568)

Cousin to Kayson.

KREW (#584)

Crew is more popular, but Krew is gaining in use, too.

KENZO (#586)

A Japanese import, Kenzo is familiar to many thanks to Japanese designer Kenzo Takada. It’s also similar to rising favorite Enzo – though that’s an Italian heritage pick.

KEEGAN (#594)

A Irish surname name, and distant cousin to the wildly popular Aiden.

KAYSEN (#597)

Another spin on Kason.

KAMDEN (#628)

Inspired by place name Camden, but spelled with a K.

KEANU (#632)

A Hawaiian name made famous by actor Keanu Reeves. With Kai and Koa on the upswing, Keanu no longer feels like a name reserved for a single celebrity.

KYRO (#643)

A streamlined spelling of Cairo, or maybe a play on the Chi Rho – a Christian symbol for Christ. The spelling might owe a little something to Kylo, too.

KYAIRE (#653)

A fast-rising choice on the US popularity charts, Kyrie meets Aire.

KAREEM (#677)

From an Arabic name meaning noble, this spelling was made famous by basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

KOEN (#681)

Almost certainly a slimmed-down spelling of Kohen. Worth noting: it’s also a Dutch name, derived from Conrad. In that case, it’s pronounced with one-syllable, and rhymes with dune and tune – challenging in English.

KEITH (#756)

This name spiked in the middle of the twentieth century, putting it solidly in dad – and grandpa – name territory right about now. But with impeccable Scottish roots and a bright sound, just give it another forty years and it could be ready for revival.

KENAI (#772)

An Alaskan place name, Kenai became a sometimes-first following the 2003 animated movie Brother Bear. Kenai is brother to Koda in the film. It’s now racing up the popularity charts, probably on the strength of the -AI ending.

KAISER (#799)

Caesar started out as a title and became a name. (And a salad.) In German, it’s Kaiser – and Kaiser was the title worn by the Austrian and German emperors during the nineteenth and even twentieth centuries. American parents might think of it more as a type of roll, but it’s also an on-trend sound for a child’s name.

KOLSON (#800)

A spin on fast-rising surname favorite Colson.

KYREE (#802)

Cousin to Kyrie.

KYREN (#812)

Another N-ending name, this time inspired by Kai.

KARIM (#819)

Another spelling of Kareem. It means “noble,” making this an auspicious choice for a son.

KOLTER (#834)

Colter with a K.

KEATON (#843)

A tailored surname name with unclear roots, Keaton will make fans of 80s television think of one thing: Family Ties. The sitcom launched actor Michael J. Fox’s career.

KENJI (#855)

An accessible Japanese name, one of Kenji’s possible meanings is strong.

KAISEN (#899)

A Kaizen cousin.

KELLAN (#919)

A German surname name, this spelling owes its popularity to actor Kellan Lutz.

KYLEN (#923)

Kyle with an N.

KRUE (#931)

One more spelling for Crew.

KHALID (#936)

Traditional Arabic name with a great meaning: eternal.

KIAAN (#929)

Kian with another A.

KABIR (#937)

An Arabic name meaning great.

KHAI (#947)

Another spin on popular Kai.

KASE (#964)

Another spelling for Kayce/Case.

KHAZA (#965)

An Arabic name meaning treasurer, boosted by a song.

KANNON (#983)

As a surname, it can refer to a church official or a piece of artillery.

KINGSLEY (#984)

As in Ben. And Shacklebolt. The first is a celebrated, Oscar-winning actor; the second, a hero from the Harry Potter world. The name surged in use following Shacklebolt’s first on-screen appearance in 2007, but it fits right in with so many King names we loved for our sons.

KACE (#999)

Yet another Kayce/Case variation.

RARE K NAMES FOR BOYS

KADMIEL

Rare Old Testament find.

KALEL

It looks a little like Khalil, but it’s actually Kal-El. That’s the birth name of Superman. Nicolas Cage gave the name to a son in 2005, and it’s seen some use in recent years. The new movie featuring David Corenswet in the cape and tights emphasizes the hero’s Clark identity more, but could still give this name a micro boost.

KALVIN

Traditional Calvin with a K.

KANAN

A Sanskrit name meaning forest.

KANOA

Hawaiian possibility, blending the best of Koa and Noah.

KARL

Long before everyone was naming their sons Charlie, Karl was a favorite among Germans and Scandinavians, probably closer to the original form of the name. It’s strong and a little bit old-school, a reliable choice with history to spare.

KARSYN

An even more creative take on Carson.

KARTIER

A take on luxury brand Cartier.

KAUAI

The name of a Hawaiian island, and a possible successor to Koa and Kai.

KAYA

A name meaning cliff, Kaya is traditionally masculine in Turkish, but is more common for girls in the US.

KEANE

Another Irish surname, possibly meaning battle. Drop the ‘e’ and Kean works, too.

KEATS

A poetic pick, thanks to English Romantic writer John Keats.

KEEN

It looks like another spelling for surname name Keane, and it might be. But Keen is also a word name, a modern virtue pick meaning sharp or eager.

KEENAN

Another Irish import, surname name Keenan comes from the saintly Cian. Comedian Keenan Ivory Wayans made it a household name.

KEIR

Brief, brisk, and effortlessly Scottish.

KELLEN

Another spelling of surname name Kellan.

KELVIN

An update to Calvin, but also a scale to measure temperatures, named for nineteenth century physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin. Science meets style.

KEMPER

This German surname might’ve signified low social status – a peasant. But today, Kemper sounds friendly and approachable.

KENDALL

An English place name turned surname, Kendall shifted from masculine to feminine following a soap opera character on All My Children. Now, of course, Kardashian family member Kendall Jenner keeps the name in the headlines. But Kendall has a long history of use for both genders, and could easily be considered unisex.

KENDRY

A surname name of uncertain origin, Kendry sounds like a mix between the Ken- names of an earlier era, and surname names parents love now.

KENYATTA

Kenyatta honors the first president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta. The surname might mean musician.

KHARI

Khari means king-like in Swahili. And while it looks a lot like the feminine Carrie, it also feels distinctive and masculine.

KINCAID

A place name with a bright sound, Kincaid is also a Scottish clan.

KINDRED

Kindred is a word name. It can refer to relatives – like the word kin. Or it might mean similar in spirit. Science fiction writer Philip K. Dick’s middle initial stands for Kindred.

KIP, KIPP

Preppy nickname that peaked in the 1960s, with Scott and Todd.

KIPLING

Another English place name turned surname, Kipling was also made famous by an author. Rudyard Kipling is remembered for The Jungle Book, The Man Who Would Be King, and Kim.

KIRAN

A Sanskrit name meaning sunbeam, and a very current sound for a child’s name.

KIT

A nickname for Christopher (or Kristopher), actor Kit Harington makes Kit broadly familiar.

KODIAK

An Alaskan place name, Kodiak is also the name of a bear native to the region.

KODY

Snuggly Irish surname with ties to the extended Star Wars universe, as well as the Wild West.

KOLE

Cole with a K. While some C-for-K swaps feel purely creative, it’s worth noting that Cole can be short for Nicholas. Since other forms of the name include Nikolas, Nikolai, and Nikola to list just a few, Kole is less of a stretch.

KRISTOFF

Another take on Christopher and Kristopher, made famous by Frozen’s Kristoff.

KURT

This brief German given name is a cousin to Conrad, and was a favorite in the US during the 1960s.

KWAME

Traditional African American favorite, with roots in Akan, spoken primarily in Ghana.

KYE

Kai meets Rye.

KYZER

A phonetic spelling of Kaiser.

What are your favorite boy names starting with K? What would you add to this list?

First published on January 25, 2021, this post was revised and re-published on May 2, 2022, October 23, 2023, and July 10, 2024.