Dog Names That Start With K

  1. Karma
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "destiny, spiritual force"
    • Description:

      Some parents, including rapper Ludacris, are literally bestowing good karma on their children; it could just join the new spiritual name congregation.
  2. Kizzy
    • Origin:

      Variation of Keziah
    • Meaning:

      "cassia tree"
    • Description:

      Kizzy was a character in Alex Haley's Roots; this and other Keziah variations were widely used among enslaved people. In Roots the name is explained by the hero Kunta as 'you sit down' or 'you stay put' in the Mandinka language meaning that 'this child would never get sold away'.
  3. Kamau
    • Origin:

      Kikuyu
    • Meaning:

      "quiet warrior"
    • Description:

      Kamau is from the Kikuyu language native to Kenya. It is recognizable as the middle name of comedian W. Kamau Bell.
  4. Kiefer
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "barrel maker; pine"
    • Description:

      Kiefer is a strong occupational surname associated with "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, but one that could well join the other 'er' surnames currently in favor. Keifer is a German surname transferred to first name use, derived from two old Germanic words, kien and forhe, both of which mean "pine tree."
  5. Knightley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "servant clearing"
    • Description:

      A courtly surname and place name that feels like it could be a successor to Kingsley. It has a British feel thanks to its most famous wearers: actress Keira Knightley, and Mr (George) Knightley, the love interest of Jane Austen's novel Emma.
  6. Kathy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Katherine and Kathleen
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      There are lots of Kathy moms and grandmas but very few babies, most of whom are now called Kate or Katie.
  7. Kyoko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "mirror"
    • Description:

      One of the most familiar and attractive Japanese names, though rarely heard outside that culture.
  8. Koi
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "carp"
    • 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 one of the new unique unisex names.
  9. Korbin
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Corbin, Latin "Crow"
    • Meaning:

      "Crow"
    • Description:

      We all know K is a very trendy letter right now, but what was wrong with Corbin?
  10. Kazuo
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "first son or harmonious man"
    • Description:

      Kazuo is a boys' name well-used in Japan though not well-known in the U.S. Kazuo Ishiguro is the author of Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
  11. Kelby
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the farm by the stream"
    • Description:

      This British last-name-first-name could make a more masculine alternative to Shelby.
  12. Khai
    • Origin:

      Arabic or Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "benevolence; sea"
    • Description:

      Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik chose the stylish and meaningful name Khai for their daughter, born in September 2020. It honors Gigi's paternal grandmother Khairiah Daher Hadid, whose name is a variation of Khairiya, which is found in the Quran.
  13. Kala
    • Origin:

      Tamil; Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "Virtue; princess"
  14. Kyoto
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Kyoto is a Japanese city name not yet on the map for babies, but why not?
  15. Katsu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "victory"
    • Description:

      As well as meaning victory, the name Katsu is strongly associated with heroism and masculinity.
  16. Kamiko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "fragrant ocean child"
    • Description:

      Popular choice for female anime characters.
  17. Kiba
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "fang"
    • Description:

      Kiba means "fang" in Japanese, and while not a common name for boys in Japan, it's popped up multiple times for fictional characters. Kiba Inuzuka is a Naruto character with a strong attachment to his dog.
  18. Kirin
    • Origin:

      Chinese mythological name
    • Description:

      Kirin is a mythical Chinese figure that is a flying horse with elements of a dragon. The creature combines elements of the male -- Ki -- and the female -- Rin -- to make a gender neutral name that would work well in the Western World.
  19. Kareem
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "noble, generous"
    • Description:

      A favorite Muslim name, Kareem first appeared on the US Top 1000 list in 1972 (jumping in at Number 405!), coinciding with the early career of basketball great turned writer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Lewis Alcindor). It has continued to chart every year since.
  20. Kindred
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "family; connectedness"
    • Description:

      This unusual English word name and surname was the middle name of American sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, after his mother's maiden name. Its striking sound and appealing meaning make it a promising virtue name possibility for either gender.