Boy Names That Start With K, Popular and Rare Picks
Currently popular K names for boys
- Kai (used across several origins including Hawaiian, meaning sea; recently the most common K name for boys)
- Kingston (English, meaning king’s town)
- Kevin (Irish, commonly read as meaning handsome or beloved)
- Karter (a modern respelling of Carter)
- King (English, used directly as a given name from the title/word)
Rare and less common K names for boys
- Knox (Scottish, meaning round hill)
- Koda (used in some sources as a Japanese-linked name meaning friend, though exact etymology varies by source)
- Kelly (Irish, commonly read as meaning bright minded, historically also used for boys before becoming more common for girls)
- Kellan (Irish-linked, used as a modern given name)
Quick facts
| Common origins | Hawaiian, English, Irish |
| Common meaning themes | the sea, royalty, brightness |
| Common nickname pattern | shortened to Kai, Ken, Cole |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular boy’s name starting with K?
Kai has recently overtaken Kayden as the most common K name for boys in the US.
Is Kelly still used for boys?
Historically yes, Kelly was used for boys before shifting toward more common use for girls over the past several decades, similar to the pattern seen with names like Ashley.
Related reading
Girl equivalent: girl names starting with K. Broader style-based list: cute and cool boy names.