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Home › Baby Names Directory › Knightley

Knightley

♂ Boy

Pronounced NYT-lee /ˈnaɪt.li/Medium

Meaning: From an English surname/place-name, 'the knight's meadow/clearing' (cniht, 'knight/servant', + leah, 'meadow'); a distinguished nameLow

In 30 seconds: The knight's meadow: Knightley is an English surname-name. Crisp and distinguished (said 'NYT-lee').
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom an English surname/place-name, 'the knight's meadow/clearing' (cniht, 'knight/servant', + leah, 'meadow'); a distinguished name
U.S. rank (2024)#10421 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 33

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

Knightley comes from an English surname/place-name, 'the knight's meadow/clearing' (cniht, 'knight/servant', + leah, 'meadow'). A distinguished name (said 'NYT-lee').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a first name (also Mr. Knightley in Austen's Emma). Rare, the-knight's-meadow at the root, and distinguished.

Did you know? Knightley is 'the knight's meadow/clearing' from an English surname (cniht, 'knight', + leah, 'meadow') — a distinguished choice (said 'NYT-lee').
Overall data confidence 46%
References — Knightley — English surname; knight's meadow

Variations

KnightlyKnightlee

Nicknames

Knight

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Knightley…

Kingsley— a kin -ley boys' name
Wesley— a fellow -ley surname-name
Brantley— a companion -ley name
Kensley— a sound-adjacent -ley name

Explore names like Knightley

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Knightley mean?

Knightley is an English surname-name, 'the knight's meadow/clearing' (cniht + leah).

How do you pronounce Knightley?

It's said NYT-lee /ˈnaɪt.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first (the K is silent).

Is Knightley a boy or girl name?

Knightley is a boy's name.

How popular is Knightley?

Knightley is a very rare name in the U.S.

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