Updated November 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
English surname
"Cenel's island"
Yesterday's hottie, today's mom name. Kelsey derives from several English place names and may mean "Cenel's island", from the Old English name Cenel "fierce". Kelsey entered the Top 1000 in the late…
Feminization of Kenneth or English
"handsome or knowing"
Kendra was once seen as a feminization of Kenneth -- but it's now firmly established as a standalone. American parents can't seem to make up their mind about it though: it was one of 2013's…
Variation of Cale, Cael, or Gael
"dog; whole heart; slender; Gaelic"
Likely borrowed from Kale or Cale, both short forms of the Biblical Caleb, Kael may also be used as an Anglicization of the Irish Cáel or as a Spanish form of the Breton Gaël. As such, it could mean…
Variation of Callie, diminutive of Caroline, English, or Calliope, Greek
"free man; beautiful voice"
Kallie is usually used as a nickname for more unusual names like Calliope, Kalliope, and Calendula. We also think this is a fresher alternative to Kelly.
Spelling variation of Kinsley, English
"king's meadow"
Kinslee is a spelling alternative of Kinsley, a sweet, sassy choice in the style of Aubree or Bailee. It entered the US charts in 2014 and has been rising and falling in usage on a year-by-year…
Modern invention, from Cawston or Casey
"calf town; brave in battle"
One of many spelling variations of Cason, Caysen, Kasen, and so on, Kaycen made its debut in the US charts in 2025 when it was one of the fastest rising choices for boys. Climbing 241 places, it may…
English
Kingsley is a sophisticated Harry Potter name that entered the US Top 1000 in 2013. Writer Kingsley Amis is its most famous bearer. Cousin Kingston is also rising in popularity, thanks to Gwen…
English, diminutive of Christopher
"bearer of Christ"
Actor Kit Harington, aka the dreamy Jon Snow on Game of Thrones , has given this nickname-name new style and appeal for boys. Actress Jodie Foster used it for her son back in the 2000s, while actor…
English diminutive of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
Kit is a crisp, old-time nickname with plenty of spirit and style. In the UK it's a rising star for boys, while in the US, it is trending upwards for girls too. Originally used as a diminutive of…
"valley of the river Kent"
The name Kendall started life as a locational surname, referring to the town of Kendale in England, and was used as a masculine name for the first half of the 19th century. By the 80s, it was a…
English variation of Casey, Irish
"brave in battle"
This spelling variation of unisex Casey leans farther to the girls' side. Kaycee ranked in the US Top 1000 in the late 80s and 90s, but has fallen out of favor now.
English word name
"information, understanding, and awareness gained through experience or education"
Knowledge is a word name that's surprising popular in the US, where a recent year saw it given to 184 boys. And if Maverick, Legend, and Justice can be popular baby names, why not Knowledge? It's an…
Variation of Kaylee, English
"laurel, crown"
Kaylee meets Hailey.
Variation of Kendrick, English and Scottish
"royal ruler, champion; home ruler"
This modern mash up of Kendrick and Hendrix felt almost bound to happen. Perfect for parents wanting something cool and contemporary but also familiar, Kendrix has in fact been quietly used since the…
"well-known clearing"
Kenley is an area in the burrough of Croydon in South London, making this a place name in a couple of senses of the term. Kenley and its twin sister Kenlee may be favored by parents looking to name a…
English surname and place-name
"edge"
Kent is a no-nonsense, brief, brisk one-syllable name, almost as curt as Kurt.
Variation of Coast, English word name
"land near the sea"
Breezy, beachy Coast began to climb the charts back in 2020 when Covid gave some parents a hesitation over Cove. By 2021, a handful of parents were also using the spelling Koast, following the trend…
Regal Kingsley seems like an all-boy name, but a growing number of parents have bestowed this name on a girl. Credit the ever-trendier -ley suffix. Kingsley Wilson is a MAGA influencer and a…
"the royal settlement"
Although Kenton has the trendy K beginning and on ending, and a jazz reference to Stan Kenton, it still manages to sound stiff and old-fashioned.
A respelling of Casey, with a slightly softer look and a hint of classic Katie about it. It ranked in the US Top 1000 in the 80s and 80s, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Less popular than it once…