King

♂ Boy

Pronounced KING /kɪŋ/High

Meaning: From Old English cyning meaning king or ruler; used as a given name for its direct regal connotation and word-name boldnessHigh

In 30 seconds: King is the ultimate word name — one syllable, absolute power, no explanation needed — a bold title-name that is surging in popularity as parents embrace names with unambiguous authority.

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Origin HighOld English

MeaningFrom Old English cyning meaning king or ruler; used as a given name for its direct regal connotation and word-name boldness

U.S. rank (2025)#405 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births786 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 37,826

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

King descends from Old English cyning meaning ruler or king. As a surname it has been used in England for centuries. As a given name it represents the broad American tradition of using honorific and title words as personal names.

King as a given name has surged in the United States in the 21st century, joining a trend of powerful word names like Ace, Major, and Royal. It carries connotations of leadership and self-assurance.

Did you know? King is also a common surname — borne by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. — and its use as a first name blurs the line between honorific, surname, and word name in a uniquely American way.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — King — word name historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Kyng

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968)
American Baptist minister and civil rights leader; recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

If you like King…

Royal— shares the direct title-word regal power and the same modern bold-name trend

Ace— fellow one-syllable word-title name with the same confident, top-of-the-deck energy

Duke— shares the noble title word-name tradition and British aristocratic feel

Major— another strong one-word title name riding the same modern American naming wave

Frequently Asked

What does the name King mean?

King means ruler or monarch from Old English cyning; used as a bold, direct word name.

How do you pronounce King?

It is said KING /kɪŋ/ — one syllable.

Is King a popular baby name?

Yes, King has been surging in U.S. popularity in the 21st century, part of a trend toward powerful title and word names.

Is King a first name or a last name?

King is used as both a surname and a given name; its use as a first name has grown significantly in recent decades.