Knox

Scottish

"round hill"

Knox Origin and Meaning

The name Knox is a boy's name of Scottish origin meaning "round hill".

Knox is an old Scottish surname that Brad Pitt (whose great-great-grandfather was named Hal Knox Hillhouse) and Angelina Jolie took out of the back cupboard, dusted off, and elevated to coolness--to the point where it entered the popular baby names list in 2009. Knox now ranks among the most influential celebrity baby names.

With Knox, the Jolie-Pitts established their own tradition: instead of their sons bearing the same first inital, they share the final letter 'x'--Maddox, Pax and Knox-- as well as a final 'n' for their middle names. It's celebrity shine has made the formerly obscure Knox one of the most popular Scottish names for boys.

The surname Knox dates back at least to the thirteenth century, and John Knox was the priest who brought about the Reformation in Scotland.

Knox Rank in US Top 1000

# 208 in the US

Knox Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 202 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Knox

• 208 US 2023
• 202 Nameberry 2025
• 124 Future 2028

20 Names Similar to Knox

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Knox.

• Bodhi
• Lennox
• Nash
• Lennon
• Hendrix
• Grey
• Quinn
• Maddox
• Maverick
• Rowen
• Wilder
• Jett
• Oakley
• Dax
• Huxley
• Remy
• Beau
• Gray
• Tate
• Reed

Famous People Named Knox

• James Knox Polk 11th President of the United States
• Knox Martin American painter and sculptor
• Knox Leon Jolie Pitt (2008), son of actors Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt
• Knox Oliver Weekes (b. 2010) son of musician Dallon Weekes and Breezy Douglas
• Knox Cameron Patrick Followill (b. 2011) son of musicians Johanna Bennet and Matthew Followill
• Knox Sterling Hager (b. 2011) son of pro wrestler Jack Swagger
• Knox Bentley (2013) son of singer Dierks Bentley & Cassidy Black
• Knox Addison Alan (b. 2013) son of actress Amanda Righetti and Jordan Alan
• Knox Blue Howey (b. 2015) son of Sarah Shahi and Steve Howey
• Knox Joseph Kelly (b. 2016) son of baseball player Joe Kelly
• Ronald Knox English theologian and novelist
• John Knox Scottish religious reformer

The name Knox in Pop Culture

• Knox Overstreet character in film "Dead Poet's Society"
• Knox character on TV's "Angel"
• Knoxville a city in Tennessee, USA, also named after Henry Knox
• Knox Gelatin gelatin brand
• Knox Harrington The video artist, character in The Big Lebowski
• Knox Callaghan character in "All Chained Up" by Sophie Jordan
• Fort Knox military post & reservation in KY, USA (site of the US Gold Depository since 1936; named in honor of Henry Knox)
• Knox character in Brandon Mull's "Dragonwatch" series