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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kinston

Kinston

♂ Boy

Pronounced KIN-stun /ˈkɪn.stən/Medium

Meaning: From English place names such as Kinston/Kingston, from Old English cyning, 'king', and tun, 'settlement; town', giving 'king's town'. A surname and place name we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A regal place-name: Kinston reads as 'king's town' (said 'KIN-stun').
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom English place names such as Kinston/Kingston, from Old English cyning, 'king', and tun, 'settlement; town', giving 'king's town'. A surname and place name we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#11690 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 176

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201919952024

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

Kinston is from English place names such as Kinston and Kingston, from Old English cyning, 'king', and tun, 'settlement', so 'king's town'. It reads modern and surname-style as a first name. A crisp two-beat pick (said 'KIN-stun').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, regal, and surname-style.

Did you know? Kinston comes from English place names such as Kingston, from cyning, 'king', and tun, 'town', giving 'king's town' — a place and surname name we note (said 'KIN-stun').
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Kinston — English place/surname 'king's town'

Variations

KingstonKinnston

Nicknames

Kin

Famous Bearers

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If you like Kinston…

Kingston— the closest place-name to Kinston
Weston— a like -ston name
Preston— a like -ston pick
Easton— a like -ston choice

Explore names like Kinston

By themeenglishplace-namesurnameregal
By meaningRoyal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kinston mean?

Kinston is from English place names, from cyning, 'king', and tun, 'town', giving 'king's town'.

How do you pronounce Kinston?

It's said KIN-stun /ˈkɪn.stən/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kinston a boy or girl name?

Kinston is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Kinston?

Kinston is a rare name in the U.S.

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