By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 3 pages
of 3
Literary and botanical name
Katniss Everdeen is the heroine of the popular Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, whose name comes from the (very real) edible aquatic plant of the genus Sagittaria. Katniss's father tells her…
African place-name, Nigeria
"honor, tribute"
Kanye West propelled his name into the Top 900 in the early 2000s, at the height of his popularity, though now it has dropped off the baby-naming map. In addition to its African derivation, it is a…
African, Mwera
"black cloth"
Energetic choice that bounces off the tongue.
Word name
"fate"
The next Destiny? Kismet seems like it might be fated for increased use.
English variation of Kiki, Finnish diminutive of Gertrud, or Hawaiian variation of Kate
"double happiness; strength of a spear; pure"
Keke is a multicultural double-punch nickname, notably borne by actress Keke Palmer. Palmer was born Lauren Keyana, yet her nickname does not derive from her middle name — her older sister had an…
Japanese
"ninth son; black"
Traditionally given to the ninth-born son, which is a rarity nowadays.
Traditionally a feminine nickname for Katherine — the male usage of Kitty is entirely made up of cats.
English, diminutive of Katherine
"pure"
This endearing nickname name is one Katherine pet form that predates all the Kathys and Katies, having been fairly common in the eighteenth century. With the current mini-craze for animal-related…
English diminutive of Katherine, Greek
We're hearing Kat more and more being used by Katherines who are tired of Kathy, Kate and Katie. Katti or Kattie is another possibility.
Hebrew
"rainbow"
This feminine name, pleasingly reminiscent of Kismet, has a similarly lovely meaning: Rainbow.
Persian or Urdu
"prosperous, successful"
While Kamran is a common boys' name in Iran and Turkey, among other countries, if used in the US it will more likely be a respelling of Cameron, a unisex name which sounds exactly the same as Kamran.…
Hindi, variation of Kalinda
"sun"
Kalindi is a lovely, rhythmic name refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.
Malagasy
"wise man"
Kendall is on the decline, but Kendry is a fresh and rare alternative. It is a traditionally masculine name in Madagascar.
"wise one"
Common Japanese name from the '60s-'80s. In Japan it's now associated with the Manga series Kenichi: the Mightiest Disciple .
Kiwi is an uncommon feminine name derived from the flightless bird native to New Zealand, which also lends its name to the kiwifruit. The term comes from the Māori language, where it is an…
"fortunate"
Kiaria is pretty but sure to prove confusing given all the more familiar Kiara and Keira variations out there.
Kiwini is a masculine name with likely Polynesian origins, particularly associated with Hawaiian naming traditions. While not among the most common Hawaiian names, it reflects the melodic quality and…
English and German surname
"dweller near the hill; lump"
An architectural take on Noel. Knoll honors Florence Knoll, the Michigan-born modernist architect and furniture designer. Her namesake company still produces her designs today. Knoll first charted in…
Greek
"maiden"
Kore is the original Greek form of the modern Cora, a name that's heading straight for the top of the charts in the English-speaking world. Kore was an alternate name for Persephone, goddess of the…
Gaelic
"male descendant of a wolf"
Kennelly could be an upbeat modern namesake for a Grandpa Kenneth; it can also be spelled Kenneally.
