Updated November 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Japanese, Sioux
"friend"
A word in the Yankton-Yanktonai and Santee dialects of the Lakota Sioux language, meaning "friend" or "ally", used for one of the main characters in the movie Brother Bear . Also a common Japanese…
Spelling variation of Cason
Trendy Cason is becoming popular enough to have a variety of offshoot spellings in the Top 1000. As a surname, it connects to bearers Gavin Kaysen—an American chef best known for his appearances on…
Irish
"war strife or church"
Killian – aka Cillian – is a spirited yet resonant Gaelic name that was borne by several Irish saints and could make a distinctive replacement for the dated Kelly. Kylian is another spelling that's…
English
"son of Kyle"
An update of Tyson for parents who prefer the Ky nickname to Ty. It was the middle name of a character on Heroes .
Modern invented name
Kasen is one of several linked names, all spelled differently and pronounced the same. Kayson is the most popular spelling of the name, but they include Cason, Casen, Cayson and so on. Kasen's appeal…
Swahili
"tortoise"
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose name was inspired by a Japanese steak house, brought this energetic and appealing name into -- and out of -- the mix. Bryant's tragic death in a helicopter crash…
Is Kaison really a variation of Kason or Kayson or Kaysen, or are they all equal inventions? Think of it as Jason or Mason, Kardashianized. Cason is the more traditional spelling, one that has the…
"Kyle's land; little Kyle"
A new-style name based on Kyle and a cousin of Dylan, in spelling if not sound or image. Currently in the US Top 600, it is given to more than 500 boys each year. While its invented status means it's…
Persian, Irish
"king, ruler; little dark one"
With its cool, modern sound, Kyren is one of the fastest-rising boy names. It was a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2023 and climbed over 130 spots in 2024. It appeals thanks to its short form Ky, its…
Jason with a K or Kase with an N or Karson without the R. Kason is one of many similar names that are extremely popular right now. Kayson is the most popular of the bunch, but besides Kason, there's…
Variation of Crew, English
"a band or force of armed men"
With Crew having entered the Top 1000 in 2010, it was only a matter of time before variants started popping up. Krew is one of the trendiest names of the 21st century having risen more than 9700…
Variation of Cairo, modern invention
"the conqueror"
Kyro is an even more modern twist on the stylish place name, Cairo. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2019 and has been rising quickly ever since. Less popular than Kairo and Cairo, Kyro is nevertheless…
"son of Egan"
Keegan is one of a clan of spirited Irish surnames starting with K and ending with 'n'--this one with the cheery double 'e' in the middle-- that are appealing to an increasing number of parents. It…
French variation of Cillian , Irish
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…
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…
Native American place name
"flat lands"
The name of the protagonist of Disney’s Brother Bear also has a geographical connection: the Kenai Peninsula and Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. With boy names like Kai and Levi at the top of…
"place of hawks; river town; Káti's town"
Keaton is an engaging surname with warmth, energy and a sense of humor, identified with silent comedian Buster Keaton and contemporary actors Michael and Diane Keaton. Given to around 290 boys in a…
Variation of Kaison
Kai is the it syllable of the moment, spawning this Kai - Jason hybrid. Kaisen made the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, along with similar name Kaizen.