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  1. Keene

    • Description:

      Keene is a masculine name of English origin functioning primarily as a surname before its adoption as a given name. It derives from the Middle English 'kene,' meaning 'bold,' 'sharp,' or 'eager.' As a first name, Keene embodies qualities of intelligence, perception, and mental sharpness. It gained limited use as a given name in the early 20th century, often honoring family surnames. The name has maintained a steady but uncommon presence, never breaking into popular rankings but appealing to parents drawn to short, strong-sounding names with positive connotations. Keene's single-syllable structure and long 'e' sound give it a crisp, clean quality reminiscent of other brief masculine names like Dean or Shane, while its uncommon status offers distinctiveness without seeming invented or unfamiliar.

  2. Keith

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "wood"

    • Description:

      Strong but gentle, Keith is one of the Scottish surnames that, along with Douglas, Craig and Bruce, were considered the epitome of cool in the 1960s and early 1970s, when it was a Top 40 choice.
  3. Keller

    • Origin:

      German occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "cellar master"

    • Description:

      Keller is a German surname that originated as an occupational name for a cellar or store master, which seems to be the background of several of the most stylish new German names for boys. One of the stylish new two-syllable -er ending names for boys, Keller is rising up the ranks heading for the Top 1000. It may be an honorific for Helen Keller.
  4. Kelly

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "war"

    • Description:

      Once the quintessential bouncy teenager name, Kelly helped launch the trend of unisex Irish names . But it now takes a backseat to more substantial surname names like Kennedy.
  5. Kelsey

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "Cenel's island"

    • Description:

      Kelsey (ex-Frasier) Grammer is a famous male bearer, although most modern Kelseys are female. It derives from several English place names, possibly meaning "Cenel's island", from the Old English name Cenel "fierce".
  6. Kennard

    • Description:

      Kennard is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements "kenn" (meaning "brave, bold") and "hard" (meaning "strong, hardy"), creating the meaning "brave strength" or "bold and strong." This distinguished Old German name traveled to England with the Norman Conquest and has remained in limited but consistent usage throughout the centuries. It offers a strong, traditional alternative to the more common Kenneth, while providing the friendly nickname options Ken or Kenny. Kennard carries an air of dignity and resilience, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth and clear meaning. While never reaching high popularity rankings, the name maintains appeal for those drawn to strong, classic masculine names with Germanic roots.
  7. Kenyon

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "white haired or blond"

    • Description:

      Kenyon is a very engaging British surname name, the middle y giving it a kind of southwestern canyonesque undertone.
  8. Kerr

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "someone who lived near wet ground"

    • Description:

      When actress Deborah Kerr entered the scene, there was a great debate over her name's pronunciation. Car or Ker. Your choice.
  9. Keziah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "cassia tree"

    • Description:

      This lively Old Testament nature name (belonging to one of the three beautiful daughters of Job) may be missing from the current US Top 1000 list, but it ranks highly here on Nameberry — making it one to watch!
  10. 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.
  11. Kingsley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "king's meadow"

    • Description:

      Kingsley is a sophisticated Harry Potter name that entered the US Top 1000 in 2013.
  12. Kinte

    • Description:

      Kinte is a masculine name that gained recognition in America primarily through the character Kunta Kinte from Alex Haley's novel 'Roots' and its television adaptation. The name has Gambian origins from the Mandinka people of West Africa. Following the tremendous impact of 'Roots' in the 1970s, Kinte emerged as a name chosen to honor African heritage and cultural connections. The name carries significant cultural weight, representing resilience, ancestry, and cultural pride. While not among the most common names, Kinte continues to be chosen by parents seeking to celebrate African heritage or make a meaningful connection to Black history. Its distinctive sound and powerful cultural associations make it a name of dignity and historical significance.
  13. Kirk

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "church"

    • Description:

      Far more friendly and open than similar one-syllable names like Kent, Kurt, and Karl, it's been associated for more than half a century with actor Kirk Douglas, whose birth name was Issur Danielovitch Demsky.
  14. Kirkby

    • Description:

      Kirkby is a masculine name of Old Norse and English origin, derived from kirk (church) and by (settlement or village), literally meaning "church settlement" or "village with a church." It originated as a surname and place name found throughout northern England and Scotland in areas influenced by Viking settlements. As a first name, Kirkby is extremely rare, representing the modern trend of adopting surnames as given names. It carries a strong, distinguished sound with clear English heritage and a connection to historical geography. The name might appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with authentic British roots and a straightforward pronunciation despite its unusual nature. Kirkby offers the trendy 'y' ending while maintaining a traditional masculine quality through its consonant-rich structure.
  15. Knight

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      " a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior"

    • Description:

      Knight (as opposed to Night) is a name clad in shiny armor. This high-ranking word name was introduced by singers Kelis and Nas. Knight might join brothers King, Royal, and Noble in a new definition of royal baby names.
  16. Knox

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "round hill"

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Kunta

    • Origin:

      Literary, English, African-American

    • Description:

      Kunta Kinte is the hero of the Roots series of books and TV series, which stem from a novel by Alex Haley. The character -- a Gambian man captured and sold into slavery in America -- is a model of strength in the face of terrible cruelty, and an icon of modern American fiction. Though some may find him too iconic to use his name for a child, others will be drawn to the name's strength and cultural ties. The origins of the name Kunta and the character who bears it are shrouded in controversy. Haley claimed to have based him on a historical account, but others have said that he is mostly invented.
  18. Karaiba
    • Laban

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "white"

      • Description:

        An Old Testament name used by the Puritans, less well known than female relatives Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah and as deserving of revival.
    • Labon

      • Description:

        Labon is a masculine name with ancient origins, possibly derived from biblical roots. It may be a variant of Laban, a biblical figure in the Book of Genesis who was the brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel. The name is thought to mean "white" or "shining" in Hebrew. Labon has remained quite rare throughout history, never achieving widespread popularity but maintaining a consistent, if minimal, presence. The name possesses a strong, distinctive sound with its crisp consonants and clear vowels. Though uncommon, Labon has occasionally appeared in various cultures, particularly in Christian communities and among those who appreciate biblical naming traditions. Its rarity gives it a unique quality while its biblical associations lend it historical depth.