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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kansas

Kansas

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAN-zus /ˈkæn.zəs/Medium

Meaning: A place name, from the U.S. state Kansas, itself named for the Kansa (Kaw) people, whose name is often rendered 'people of the south wind.' Used as a modern given name, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A place-name pick: Kansas comes from the state, from the Kansa 'people of the south wind' (said 'KAN-zus'). Bold and American.
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Origin LowAmerican
MeaningA place name, from the U.S. state Kansas, itself named for the Kansa (Kaw) people, whose name is often rendered 'people of the south wind.' Used as a modern given name, which we note.
U.S. rank (2025)#12963 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1994
Total births (all-time)≈ 98

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199419932025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kansas is a place name, from the state named for the Kansa people ('people of the south wind'). As a given name it reads bold and distinctly American, which we note - rare in the U.S. (said 'KAN-zus').

It appears only rarely as a first name. Rare, place-based, and bold.

Did you know? Kansas takes its name from the U.S. state, itself named for the Kansa (Kaw) people - often rendered 'people of the south wind' - a bold place-name given to children, which we note (said 'KAN-zus').
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Kansas — U.S. place name; Kansa people; 'south wind'

Variations

KanzasKansisKanses

Nicknames

KanKanz

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kansas…

Denver— a like American city name
Memphis— a like bold place-name
Tennessee— a like state place-name pick
Zias— shares Kansas's American roots
Zylas— echoes that soft -as sound

Explore names like Kansas

By themeamericanplace-nameboldnature-adjacent

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kansas mean?

Kansas is a place name from the state, named for the Kansa people, often rendered 'people of the south wind,' which we note.

How do you pronounce Kansas?

It's said KAN-zus /ˈkæn.zəs/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kansas a boy or girl name?

Here Kansas is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Kansas?

Kansas is a rare name in the U.S.

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