By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 18 pages
of 18
Irish
"little dark one"
Keira is a sweet yet tough name that's gotten a huge boost from the meteoric rise of Keira Knightley. Original spelling Kiera, which relates more directly to the male Kieran, was the more popular…
Dutch diminutive of Coenraad
"bold advisor"
A short form popular in the Netherlands, though in the U.S. Koen and Coen are easily confused with Cohen, the Jewish surname meaning "priest" which has recently gained currency as a first name. The…
French variation of Cillian , Irish
"war strife or church"
The Kylian spelling of this popular Irish name was introduced to the lexicon by French soccer star Kylian Mbappé. A Top 500 name in France since the 1990s, Kylian entered the US Top 1000 back in 2019…
Japanese
"strong and healthy"
Kenzo is a common Japanese name with several creative bearers: the single-named fashion designer, prizewinning architect Kenzo Takada, and painter Kenzo Okada, which makes it internationally…
"fire, flame"
A Japanese name with real firepower, Kasai was one of the fastest rising names of 2025. Given to just 15 boys in back in 2015, a more recent count saw it given to 437, reflecting an interest in…
English, diminutive of Katherine
"pure"
Friendly mega-popular short form of Katherine that has definitively replaced Kathy, Katie is often given on its own. Going forward, though, Katie is more stylishly clipped itself to the grownup Kate.
Hawaiian
"the coolness, or the cool breeze"
An evocative name brought from Hawaii to the mainland by Keanu Reeves, who was born in Beirut to a part-Hawaiian, part-Chinese father. It moved into the Top 1000 for the first time in over a decade…
Literature
"warlord"
Khaleesi is an invented name introduced to the world by inventive and prolific author George R. R. Martin for his wildly popular Game of Thrones series—it's Dothraki for "queen" and is one of the…
Scottish surname
"fair hero"
A Scottish surname name, more popular as the Presidential McKinley, meaning "son of the fair hero". Kinley also feels like a modern invention, ala Kenzie or Kimbry. Kinley peack in 2011-12, when it…
Arabic
"noble, generous"
A favorite Muslim name, Kareem first appeared on the US Top 1000 list in 1972 (jumping in at Number 405!), coinciding with the early career of basketball great turned writer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born…
"misshapen head"
Kennedi is a spelling variation of Kennedy. Kennedi has been on an upward trend since she entered the Top 1000 in 1998. If you're going to go with this trendy Presidential name, we prefer Kennedy.
Spelling variation of Camden
"winding valley"
Spelling Camden with a K makes it less of a place name—Camden is a downmarket city in New Jersey and an upmarket area of London—and more of a Kardashian-era confection, or maybe konfection. Both…
Variation of Carson, English and Scottish surname
"son of the marsh-dwellers"
Y is often used to feminize a variant spelling of a name, though of course there's nothing intrinsically gendered about it. The Karsyn spelling is slightly off its peak for girls, but rising for boys.
"heaven, sky, glorious chief"
Keilani is among the fastest rising girls' names in some US states, a once- unusual name perhaps popularized by its similarity to both Leilani and Kayla. Its rhythmic appeal cannot be denied.
Short form of Mackenzie, Scottish
"son of Kenneth"
Take away the Mac and what do you have? Rather than "son of Kenneth," the meaning becomes simply Kenneth, which in itself means son of fire or handsome. In the US, the name Kenzie peaked for girls…
Variation of Kinsley
Similar to Kinsley, this modern choice has become much more popular in recent years; it first entered the Top 1000 in 2011. Part of its appeal might be that it sounds reminiscent of the…
Modern invented name
Kiana (or more appropriately, Quiana) is the original polyester name, coming into favor in the 1970s but then drifting downward for years before taking a surprise turn back up the charts, perhaps…
Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Russian variation of Carina
This sweet and loving name, favored in recent years by a mix of Hispanic-American parents and Bob Dylan fans, was chosen for her daughter by TV actress Melina Kanakaredes.
Scottish, feminine form of Kenneth
Kenna is the Scottish version of Kendra, both of which are feminine versions of Kenneth. Used in the TV show Reign for one of the supporting characters.
"sacred and beautiful; pure and beautiful"
The name of a Japanese citrus fruit, Kiyomi made its debut in the US charts in 2025, where it was joined by alternative spelling Kyomi in the Top 1000. Given to 355 girls, it ranks slightly below…
