Unique Boy Names that Start With K

Kaiser

German

"Emperor"

Kaiser, as in roll and Wilhelm, appeared for the first time on the US Top 1000 in 2017. It fits the two-syllable -er ending style that's all the rage, and it lends itself to the short form Kai. But…

Kylen

Modern invented name

"Kyle's land; little Kyle"

This relatively new name appears to have been created by adding the trendy -en suffix to Kyle, or by tweaking the spelling of the more popular and slightly older Kylan. While its invented status…

Kolson

Variation of Colson, English

"son of Nicholas"

Colson was made familiar by author Colson Whitehead, who helped popularize the K variation as well. Both Colson and Kolson rapidly ascended the charts in 2017, the year following the release of…

Kaleo

Hawaiian

"the voice"

Kaleo is one of a number of fast-rising Hawaiian names, thanks to its cool combination of sounds reminiscent of Kainoa and Mateo.

Krue

Variation of Crew, English word name

A little bit of Crew, a little bit of True, plus a K initial equals a recipe for one of the fastest-rising boy names of the year.

Kenji

Japanese

"second son; healthy + second; wise + second; modest second"

A international feeling name of Japanese origin that could be used to refer to a child's place in the family, Kenji has attracted notice in the US as the name of The Food Lab chef, James Kenji…

Kaycen

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…

Kace

Modern invented name or variation of Casey, Irish

"brave in battle"

The American appetite for boys names starting with the Kay-sound seems unlimited: Think Cason, Kaison, Caiden, Kayden... and Kace. Which hit the Top 1000 for the first time in 2017, remained there…

Kellan

Spelling variation of Kellen

"swamp; slender"

Kellan Lutz is the attractive young actor who plays Emmett Cullen in the Twilight series.

Krishiv

Modern Indian name, Hindi

"dark and kind; farrner"

Krishiv is a modern Indian boys name, which feels both familiar and fresh. The origins of Krishiv are debated, but it may be newly created blend of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva's names, meaning…

Kellen

German; Irish

"swamp; slender"

Kellen is German in origin and Irish in spirit. Kellen has fallen a bit in popularity for boys since its peak in 2012, but it has possibilities for girls too. In fact, Kellen's similarity to such…

Kingsley

English

"king's meadow"

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…

Kit

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…

Kenan

Hebrew

"possession"

The biblical character Kenan was a great-grandson of Adam and a direct ancestor of Noah. As in Christianity, Kenan is honored in Islam. Kenan can also be considered a variation of Cianan, an Irish…

Kross

English word name, German surname

"crucifix; by the crossroads; maker of mugs, jugs and pitchers"

Kross is one of the new generation of Christian word names with a twist, and joins the ranks of Chozen, Kruz, Zyon, Kannon, and Tru as options for boys. Given to around 20 babies in 2018, by 2019, it…

Kalel

Spelling variation of Khalil

Kalel first entered the US Top 1000 as a one-off appearance in 2009, then reentered in 2013. It's possible that some parents see it as a spelling variant of the classic Arabic name Khalil, meaning…

Khai

Arabic or Hawaiian

"benevolence; sea"

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik notably chose this name for their daughter in 2020, as a variation of Gigi's grandmother's name, Khairiah. In 2021, the name caught on for boys — Khai was a new debut on the…

Khaza

Arabic

"treasure"

Khaza got a big boost when rapper Kevin Gates chose it for his son in 2014, and an even bigger boost with the release of his 2022 album of the same name. Gates' influence led to Khaza being one of…

Karsyn

Spelling variation of Carson

A surname-style name with a contemporary spelling, Karsyn is a unisex name that has been on and off the charts for boys since 2018. As of 2023, it's back in the US Top 1000 and given to more than 200…

Kruz

Variation of Cruz, Spanish

"cross"

There's something about the K initial that modern parents just can't resist and Kruz is a trendy reboot of the already very cool Cruz. Derived from the Spanish word for "cross", Kruz could be…