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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kestrel

Kestrel

♀ Girl

Pronounced KES-truhl /ˈkɛs.trəl/High

Meaning: From the English word kestrel, a small, hovering falcon. Used as a nature/bird name; it carries a wild, free, high-flying feel.Medium

In 30 seconds: A wild bird name: Kestrel is a small hovering falcon (said 'KES-truhl'). Free, sharp, and nature-bright.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English word kestrel, a small, hovering falcon. Used as a nature/bird name; it carries a wild, free, high-flying feel.
U.S. rank (2024)#11613 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 296

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201919852024

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 straight from the English word for a small falcon that hovers on the breeze. As a name it reads wild and free, part of the birds-and-nature trend — rare in the U.S. (said 'KES-truhl').

It appears only rarely, among nature-name lovers. Rare, wild, and high-flying.

Did you know? Kestrel is the name of a small, hovering falcon — a bird known for holding perfectly still on the wind before it dives — making it a striking, free-spirited nature name (said 'KES-truhl').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Kestrel — English word; small falcon; nature/bird name

Variations

KestrelleKestralKess

Nicknames

KessTrel

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kestrel…

Wren— a like small-bird name
Lark— a like bird nature name
Raven— a like wild bird name
Merle— a like bird-word name

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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-truhl /ˈkɛs.trəl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kestrel a boy or girl name?

Kestrel is used here as a girl's name and can be unisex.

How popular is Kestrel?

Kestrel is a rare nature name in the U.S.

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