Boy Dog Names That Start With K

  1. Kenzo
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "strong and healthy"
    • Description:

      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 recognizable.
  2. Kelly
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "war"
    • Description:

      A predominantly male name in the US until the late 1950s, the name continued to rise for both sexes for both sexes for a further decade, before starting to decline for boys. Despite dropping out of the boys' Top 1000 in 2002, Kelly retains a rugged Irish charm.
  3. Kellan
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kellen
    • Meaning:

      "swamp; slender"
    • Description:

      Kellan Lutz is the attractive young actor who plays Emmett Cullen in the Twilight series.
  4. Koen
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Coenraad
    • Meaning:

      "bold advisor"
    • Description:

      A short form popular in the Netherlands, though in the U.S. Koen and Coen are easily confused with Cohen, the Jewish surname meaning "priest" which has recently gained currency as a first name. The Dutch pronunciation is more like "coon."
  5. Koi
    • Origin:

      Japanese or Choctaw
    • Meaning:

      "carp; panther"
    • Description:

      The Koi is a variety of carp especially popular in ornamental gardens in Japan, where they are a symbol of good fortune. In Buddhist culture, the koi is associated with courage. Being one letter away from trendy Kai boosts its prospects as a cool unisex name.
  6. Kaiser
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "Emperor"
    • Description:

      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 we hope this Germanic version of what is essentially a title rather than a name doesn't keep rising on the charts.
  7. Kylo
    • Origin:

      Variation of Kyle, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "narrow spit of land"
    • Description:

      The original Kyle has sparked many variations, including Kylie, Kyler, and Kylo, after Kylo Ren, the villain played by Adam Driver in the seventh Star Wars movie, released in December 2015.
  8. Kaden
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kayden, modern invented name
    • Meaning:

      "round or barrel"
    • Description:

      A popular member of the -ayden family, Kaden ranks alongside Kaiden, Kayden, Kasen, Kade, Caiden, Cade, and Caden in the US Top 1000. A 90s invention that took off in the 2000s, Kaden is concise and modern, with its popular K initial.
  9. Kenji
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "second son"
    • Description:

      One of several Japanese names that refer to a child's place in the family birth order. Kenji has attracted notice in the US as the name of The Food Lab chef, James Kenji López-Alt, know simply as Kenji.
  10. Keaton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "shed town"
    • Description:

      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. Although rare as a first name, a young Keaton would fit right in with classmates Keenan and Kellen.
  11. King
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "monarch"
    • Description:

      King is a name that sends a mixed message. While some might think of it as more fitting for a canine, others see it as a strong name with offbeat style and a full court of rich associations, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Elvis.

      King Vidor was an important early Hollywood director; King Camp Gillette invented the safety razor.

      If it's king names you're after that aren't King itself, see our list of Names with Royal Meanings or other lists and blogs on royal names.
  12. Kermit
    • Origin:

      Irish, variant of Diarmaid/Dermot
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      Kermit was a Top 500 name until the 1960s, not coincidentally the decade in which Kermit the Frog became well known, proving that it isn't easy being green, even for a name. But we think it's time for some of those appealing Sesame Street names--Kermit, Elmo, Grover--to be taken out of that context and be considered on their own.
  13. Krue
    • Origin:

      Variation of Crew, English word name
    • Description:

      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.
  14. Kairo
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of place-name Cairo, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "the conqueror"
    • Description:

      Contemporary Kairo fits in with the modern trend of substituting a C for a K initial, and in this case, it works to get you more easily to the cool nickname Kai. In fact, parents in the US and the UK see it as working so well that Kairo took over from Cairo as the preferred spelling of the name back in 2018. Given to nearly 1500 babies each year, Kairo is in the US and UK Top 300.
  15. Klaus
    • Origin:

      German variation of Claus, diminutive of Nicolas
    • Description:

      Two drawbacks: some unpleasant World War II associations, and the Santa clause.
  16. Khalid
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "immortal, everlasting"
    • Description:

      Khalid has flirted with the Top 1000 for several decades now, climbing back on in 2015 after more than a decade's absence. Its return could be in part because of the popularity of snapchat personality and rap collaborator DJ Khaled. R&B singer Khalid may also be contributing to its newfound popularity. The name is important in Islamic history thanks to a 7th century military leader. Khalida is the feminine version.
  17. Kingston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "king's town"
    • Description:

      Chosen for their first son by musical couple Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, this Jamaican place and elegant British surname also boasts the more regal yet user-friendly short form, King.
  18. Khari
    • Origin:

      West African
    • Meaning:

      "kingly"
    • Description:

      Though used quite often for babies of both sexes, Khari, meaning "kingly," was traditionally a boys' name. Musical couple Fetty Wop and Masika Kalysha, however, named their daughter Khari.
  19. Kaiden
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kaden, modern invented name
    • Description:

      This version of Kaden is also a popular choice and one of the many boys' names starting with k that can also start with a C, as in Caiden, Cayden et al.. Kaiden Alenko is a character in the video game Mass Effect.
  20. Kyrie
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "Lord"
    • Description:

      Kyrie may be a name of God used widely in the ancient church refrain Kyrie Elieson, or Lord, have mercy, but it's rising in popularity for boys in the US on the strength of basketball star Kyrie Irving. Irving pronounces the first syllable of Kyrie to rhyme with my, whereas with the religious word it rhymes with fear.