The new Maia, the next Kayla, Kaia has been on the charts since the year 2000. You might see it as a female form of the also-rising Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian and is sometimes used for girls as well, or as a Kardashianization of the ancient goddess name Caia.

Kara and the soundalike (though not necessarily related) Cara are among the most multi-cultural names around. Cara has roots in Latin, Italian, Irish, Spanish, and Portuguese, and Kara can be viewed as simply as K-starting version of Cara.

This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.

Kent is a no-nonsense, brief, brisk one-syllable name, almost as curt as Kurt.

This streamlined form of a pretty and feminine classic may not be as popular as it once was, but it's never out of style. A royal name best used now in its full glory rather than as nicknames Kris or Kristy.

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.

A strong, powerful choice, ancestor of the modern Superboy Names. Knut is the name of the patron saint of Denmark; Knute Rockne was a legendary Notre Dame football coach. Knute is the middle name of Jessica Simpson's son Ace, in honor of his paternal great-grandfather. Note that pronunciation is two syllables, with the K sounded.

Far more friendly and open than similar one-syllable names like Kent, Kurt, and Karl, it's been associated for more than half a century with actor Kirk Douglas, whose birth name was Issur Danielovitch Demsky.

Attractive British place-name with a sense of humor. Fun fact: John Wayne played five characters with the first or second name of Kirby.

In Norse mythology, the son of the giant who ruled the wind and air; in modern America, recalls a 1970s girl's nickname name, à la Carrie and Keri.

This royal but common Scandinavian name is, in the US, linked to a single figure -- Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. While Rockne's name was commonly pronounced like newt, the correct pronunciation is two syllables, sound the K.

Lovely, authentic name -- but any Kirsten will be condemned to a lifetime of hearing "Did you say Kristen?" They're both genuine Scandinavian names but too interchangeable.

Kristy (and Kristi and Kristie) are the ultimate kool girl nicknames of the sixties and seventies, not kwite as kute any more.

Kaspar is a masculine name with ancient Persian origins, traditionally believed to mean 'treasurer' or 'keeper of the treasure.' It gained prominence in Christian tradition as one of the Three Wise Men (or Magi) who visited the infant Jesus, often spelled Caspar in some accounts. The name spread throughout Europe during medieval times, with variations including Casper, Kasper, and Gaspard appearing across different countries. In Germanic countries, Kaspar has maintained steady popularity through the centuries. The name carries an air of wisdom and mysticism due to its biblical associations, while also evoking a classic, distinguished character. Today, it offers parents a traditional option with historical depth and cross-cultural recognition.

One of the few K names that sounds middle-aged.

Karena modernizes middle-aged Karen but also creates pronunciation confusion. Is it ka-REN-a, ka-REEN-a, or just plain Karen with an a at the end? Spelled Karenna as in Gore goes partway toward clarifying things.

Kiersten is the version of Kirsten you use if you really really really don't want anyone to mispronounce it as ker-sten or kris-ten. But they probably still will.

This Scandinavian spin on Christopher gives that enduring classic a lighter, more individual twist, though many may see it as simply a kree8iv spelling.

Kieron is traditionally a masculine name of Irish origin, though listed here as feminine. It represents an anglicized spelling of the Irish name Ciarán or Kieran, derived from 'Ciar' meaning 'dark' or 'black' combined with a diminutive suffix, essentially meaning 'little dark one' or 'dark-haired.' The name has historical significance through several Irish saints named Ciarán, including the founder of Clonmacnoise monastery. While primarily used for boys in Ireland and other English-speaking countries, names occasionally cross gender boundaries in usage. This particular spelling with 'o' instead of 'a' offers a subtle variation on the more traditional Kieran. The name carries associations with Irish heritage, spiritual devotion, and intellectual pursuits, reflecting the scholarly reputation of Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise.

Kennett is a masculine name with English origins, derived from the place name Kennett, which refers to a river in England. The river name is believed to come from the Celtic term meaning 'boundary water.' As a surname-turned-first-name, Kennett has an aristocratic, refined quality. While less common than the variant Kenneth, Kennett maintains the same strong, classic appeal with a slightly more distinctive edge. The name has never been among the most popular choices but appeals to parents seeking a traditional yet uncommon name with historical roots. Kennett projects reliability and steadfastness while offering the friendly nickname options of Ken or Kenny.