Girl Names Starting with K: Kenna, Kestrel, Kate

Girl names starting with K include some of the biggest pop culture sensations of our time. Just think of Game of Thrones’ Khaleesi. Or the entire Kardashian family.

But there’s a wide range of possible K names for girls. Classic Katherine and cool, casual Kate share the letter with soap opera-boosted Kayla and Sue Grafton’s fictional detective, Kinsey Millhone.

K is the seventh most popular first initial as of the 2022 data. That’s significant, ahead of perpetually-popular J and the oh-so-stylish H. K is just one spot behind C right now, but plenty of names appear on both lists – looking at you, Chloe and Khloe.

Of course, there potential for a little bit of K backlash. Some parents love the idea of invented names like Kailynn and Kaedee. Others feel it’s a little like a game of onomastic mix and match, and try to avoid them.

Some of those inventions do filter into general use, of course. After all, surname-style Kinsley outranks former Top 100 picks like Kimberly and Kaitlyn.

Let’s dive into all of the girl names starting with K.

POPULAR GIRL NAMES STARTING WITH K

KINSLEY (#61)

A surname name with Anglo-Saxon roots, lively and modern Kinsley followed Kelly and so many other K names up the popularity charts.

KENNEDY (#74)

A presidential surname name, Kennedy has become a mainstream favorite for our daughters, just like Madison.

KEHLANI (#152)

Grammy-nominated singer Kehlani put this spelling of her Hawaiian name on the charts, and now it’s rocketing up the popularity charts.

KAYLEE (#161)

First came Hailey. Then Kayla. Kaylee followed, an inevitable mix of irresistible sounds. In years past, more spellings – Kailey, Kaylie – also appared in the US Top 1000, though many of those are now fading.

KATHERINE (#166)

An evergreen classic, Katherine-with-a-K is more popular today than Catherine-with-a-C, but the two names have swapped places depending on the decade.

KHLOE (#186)

Chloe has become a modern staple. The Kardashians reminded us that it can be spelled with a K, too.

KYLIE (#198)

Made internationally famous by Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, this names owes much to masculine name Kyle, and something to Kaylee and company, too.

KIMBERLY (#210)

An early surname-style name, Kimberly became a breakout hit in the 1960s. If it hadn’t been so popular then, it would almost certainly be a fast-rising favorite now.

KAMILA (#212)

One of several possible spellings of ancient name Camilla. With Camila in the Top 20, the success of Kamila-with-a-K seems inevitable.

KAILANI (#223)

Kehlani ranks higher, but Kailani is closer to the Hawaiian original: a mix of words meaning ocean and heaven.

KAIA (#225)

Possibly a Scandi nickname for Katarina, Kaia might also be another name in the key of Maya. Supermodel Cindy Crawford’s daughter Kaia Gerber is following her mom’s career path. It’s a sleek, international choice.

KALI (#250)

It looks like a streamlined spelling of Callie, but Kali is also a Hindu goddess name.

KIARA (#252)

Kiara could be a K-spelling of the Irish Ciara or the Italian Chiara.

KAYLANI (#253)

A slightly more phonetic spelling of Kailani, and one of several fast-rising -lani names.

KAYLA (#279)

Soap opera Days of Our Lives helped launch this name in the 1980s. Today it’s in mom name territory, but still in use for our daughters.

KENDALL (#301)

An English surname and place name, made possible as a first thanks to a soap opera villain. Today, Kendall Jenner is among the most famous figures to wear the name.

KALANI (#374)

Another Kehlani-Kailani cousin, though Kalani’s meaning is different: the sky, or heaven.

KIRA (#390)

A feminine form of Cyrus, Kira’s early popularity is likely due to Russian figure skater Kira Ivanova, an Olympic medalist in 1984 and regular on the world stage in the following years. Actress Keira Knightley’s name was inspired by the skater.

KATE (#452)

A classic nickname for Katherine, spare, strong Kate is the name of the future Queen of England (Well, okay, she’s Catherine) as well as a familiar name for Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn.

KORA (#462)

The German spelling of Kora, long outranked by the C spelling in the US. Nickelodeon’s The Legend of Korra might also give a boost to the K spelling.

KATALINA (#475)

Another form of Katherine, rare but heard across the ages.

KENZIE (#519)

Short for former favorite Mackenzie, Kenzie fits right in with Kinsley and other K names.

KINLEY (#527)

Another natural successor to Kelly and company.

KAYLEIGH (#528)

Perhaps the most elaborate spelling of Kaylee.

KAMRYN (#531)

Cameron remains a Top 100 choice for boys, while Kamryn is  a fancier, feminine version – though the spelling Cameron popular for girls, too.

KEIRA (#535)

Keira Knightley’s parents intended to spell her name Kiera, the Anglicized form of Irish Ciara. But they transposed the letters. The actor’s fame has made this spelling popular.

KYLA (#557)

Kylie meets Kayla.

KATIE (#559)

An affectionate nickname for Katherine, Katie have long stood on their own, too – especially spare, strong Kate.

KENNEDI (#560)

Kennedy-with-an-i.

KALIYAH (#604)

Add a K to the chart-topping Aaliyah.

KARSYN (#608)

As Kamryn is to Cameron, Karsyn is to Carson.

KENSLEY (#612)

Another surname-inspired choice.

KAITLYN (#627)

Traditional Irish name Caitlin was respelled when it reached the US. Kaitlyn was long the most popular, though it has faded in recent years.

KELSEY (#629)

A 1990s style star.

KEILANI (#632)

Another Hawaiian name relating to the sky, though Keilani’s meaning is “glorious heaven.”

KATHRYN (#658)

A slightly more phonetic spin on Katherine, with a long history of use. Katherine is the dominant spelling today, but Kathryn was the more popular K spelling in the 1950s.

KYRA (#659)

Another Kira spelling, made popular in part by actor Kyra Sedgwick.

KHALEESI (#662)

An invented title for Game of Thrones, Khaleesi’s sound made it a natural borrowing for parents. While this name fell sharply in the year following the series’ finale, it’s worth noting that Khaleesi has since recovered.

KENNA (#681)

As Kenzie is to Mackenzie, Kenna is to Makenna. Or possibly it’s just a feminine form of so many established Ken- names.

KARLA (#686)

We adore Charlotte. This fellow Charles cousin is a little more obscure.

KARINA (#702)

A Scandi, and sometimes Slavic, elaboration of Karen.

KENDRA (#703)

A feminine form of so many Ken- names.

KYLEE (#727)

Another take on Kaylee/Kylie.

KORI (#744)

A feminine take on surname-name Corey.

KIANA (#753)

A Hawaiian stand-in for Diana, and a stylish sound in the 1980s and 90s.

KATALEYA (#774)

Zoe Saldana made flower name Cataleya popular in 2011 movie Colombiana. The C spelling remains more popular, but both are climbing.

KIMBER (#775)

Drop the -ley from Kimberley, and this surname looks a little more like recent favorites Harper and Piper.

KAI (#790)

Borrowed from the Hawaiian word for ocean, Kai is one of the hottest boys’ names of this moment, and now is rising in use for our daughters, too.

KELLY (#805)

A bright, upbeat Irish surname, associated with a vibrant shade of green and a generation of (now grown-up) girls.

KINSLEE (#806)

Kinsley, emphasis on the -lee.

KASSIDY (#823)

Irish surname Cassidy, meaning curly-haired, dressed up with a K.

KAMIYAH (#849)

A modern name, cousin to Amiyah and Jamiyah.

KARA (#874)

A K spelling of Cara, boosted in recent years by Supergirl’s alter ego, Kara Zor-El.

KAMARI (#882)

A unisex name, also appearing in the boys’ Top 1000, Kamari might come from the Arabic qamar – moon.

KAYDENCE (#883)

A dressed up version of Cadence, less word-like and more name-ish.

KHALANI (#884)

Another Hawaiian borrowing, made famous by child star Khalani Simon, better known as Lani Love.

KARTER (#889)

Carter-with-a-K, less popular than the C spelling but still in steady use for girls and boys alike.

KEYLA (#899)

Another form of Kayla.

KATELYN (#900)

Another Caitlin/Kaitlyn cousin, this one more of a Kate-Lynn smoosh.

KAIYA (#907)

A little bit Kai, a little bit Kaia.

KALLIE (#911)

Another spelling for spirited Callie.

KENIA (#919)

Probably an invented name, possibly based on place name Kenya.

KAIRI (#926)

An intriguing import from Japan, Kairi came to the US via video game Kingdom Hearts.

KEILY (#967)

Yet another form of Kaylee … or possibly Keely.

KAMILAH (#987)

Either a cousin to popular Camila, or a borrowing from Arabic, where it means perfect.

KAHLANI (#1000)

Another K-plus-lani possibility.

RARE AND UNUSUAL GIRL NAMES BEGINNING WITH K

KACEY

A take on Casey. Spelling possibilities abound.

KAISLEY

Kaylee meets Paisley, though it is sometimes found as a surname.

KALILA

A lovely Arabic name meaning friend.

KAHLO

An artist surname name that fits with Willow and Margot.

KALINA

Borrowed from a Slavic name for a type of tree.

KALINDA

Fans of The Good Wife might recognize this name from a character in the series. It’s a Hindi name meaning sun.

KAMALA

A name meaning lotus – and a world-changing woman.

KAMARIA

From an Arabic word meaning moon.

KAREN

A former favorite, Karen started out as a Scandi short form of Katherine. Today, though, it’s burdened by negative stereotypes.

KARLIE

A spelling of Carly made famous by supermodel Karlie Kloss.

KARIMA

An Arabic name meaning generous, with an appealing sound.

KARUNA

A Sanskrit name meaning kindness, famous as the middle name of actor Uma Thurman.

KASAI

This Japanese name comes with a compelling meaning: flame.

KASIANI

Inspired by a medieval saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, also known as Saint Kassia. The hymns she composed remain part of the Byzantine liturgy today.

KATERINA, KATRINA

Katherine by way of various European languages.

KATHLYN

Also spelled Kathlynn, it probably started out as an early attempt to Anglicize Caitlin. Now it feels more like a play on Katherine.

KATNISS

A nature name made famous by Katniss Everdeen, a fictional hero from The Hunger Games.

KATRIEL

It looks like a creative twist on Katrina, but Katriel is a Hebrew name meaning crown of God.

KAYLENE, KAYLIN

A twist on Kaylee.

KEELY

An Irish surname that followed Kelly into wider use.

KEISHA

A former favorite, likely borrowed from the Biblical Keziah.

KEMPER

A surname name put on this list by actor Ellie Kemper.

KENDI

A name with African roots meaning “the loved one,” it was made famous by author Ibrahim X. Kendi.

KEREN

It looks like Karen, but Keren is a Hebrew name meaning “ray of light.”

KERENSA

From a Cornish name meaning love.

KERRY

Another Irish surname name with some history as a first, too.

KERITH

Biblical place name with a tailored, unexpected sound.

KESTREL

A bird of prey makes this an avian name fiercer than Dove, but every bit as wearable.

KETURAH

A Hebrew name meaning incense.

KEZIAH

Job’s daughter in the Old Testament, this name means cinnamon.

KHADIJA

The very first convert to Islam, Khadija was the wife of Mohammed.

KIMORA

A Kim name made famous by reality television’s Kimora Lee Simmons.

KINDRED

An obscure word meaning “family,” Kindred was the middle name of sci fi author Philip K. Dick.

KINGA

The saintly and regal Kunigunde survives in Polish as the more accessible Kinga.

KINNERET

The name of an Israeli lake, called the Sea of Galilee in English. Kinneret means harp; it’s said the lake is shaped like the instrument.

KINSEY

Another surname name, this one made famous by a fictional detective from author Sue Grafton. Fun fact: the surname comes from a given name meaning “royal victory.”

KIRI

Opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa made this Maori name internationally known.

KISMET

A word name meaning fate or destiny.

KIT

Typically a nickname for Katherine or Christopher/Christina, Kit might stand on its own, too.

KRISTEN

A tailored, Scandi take on Christina. Multiple spellings compete, including Kristin. If it seems strange to include such a familiar name on this list of rare K names for girls, well, consider that it hasn’t appeared in the US Top 1000 for five years and counting with the ‘e’ spelling, and twice that for Kristin.

KRISTINA

Kristina reached the US Top 100 in the 1980s, following Christina up the charts. It’s rare today, though.

KYRIE

It might be invented from stylish sounds, or Kyrie could be borrowed from the prayer Kyrie eleison – Lord, have mercy. Or Mr. Mister’s 1985 smash hit Kyrie, which is a reference to the prayer.

What are your favorite girl names starting with K?

First published on March 1, 2021, this post was revised and re-published on April 11, 2022 and again on October 16, 2023.