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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kestrel

Kestrel

♂ Boy

Pronounced KES-trul /ˈkɛs.trəl/Medium

Meaning: From the English word kestrel, a small hovering falcon. A nature and bird name used for both boys and girls; we note its unisex use.Medium

In 30 seconds: A bird name on the wind: Kestrel is a small hovering falcon (said 'KES-trul'). Used for boys and girls, which we note.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English word kestrel, a small hovering falcon. A nature and bird name used for both boys and girls; we note its unisex use.
U.S. rank (2024)#11657 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 27

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202420122024

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

Kestrel comes from the English word for a small hovering falcon. Part of the wave of bird and nature names, it reads fresh and unisex, used for both boys and girls, which we note. A crisp two-beat pick (said 'KES-trul').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, nature-bright, and unisex.

Did you know? Kestrel is the name of a small falcon known for hovering on the wind; as a given name it is used for boys and girls alike, which we note (said 'KES-trul').
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Kestrel — English word 'kestrel', a small falcon; unisex

Variations

Kestrell

Nicknames

KesTrel

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kestrel…

Wren— a like bird name
Hawke— a like bird-of-prey pick
Phoenix— a like nature-word choice
Peregrine— a like falcon name

Explore names like Kestrel

By themeunisexword-namenaturebird
By meaningEarth / NatureBird

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kestrel mean?

Kestrel is the English word for a small hovering falcon, used as a nature and bird name.

How do you pronounce Kestrel?

It's said KES-trul /ˈkɛs.trəl/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kestrel a boy or girl name?

Kestrel is used here as a boy's name; note it is unisex and used for girls too.

How popular is Kestrel?

Kestrel is a rare name in the U.S.

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