75+ *Cute* Boy Names That Start with K

Love baby boy names starting with K but haven’t found the right one quite yet? I’m baby name-obsessed and today, I’m sharing my absolute fav boy names that start with k – that I know you’re going to love –

Country Boy Names That Start with K

Are you in love with the simple charm of the countryside? Our selection of country boy names beginning with K, will remind you of rolling fields and rustic simplicity, perfect for a little boy who loves the great outdoors.

Kane

• Origin: Irish (surname origin)
• Pronunciation: KAYN · ˈkeɪn
• Meaning: warrior (from Gaelic ‘cath’, battle) via the Irish surname Ó Catháin
• Popularity: #431 and falling (#402 → #431, 2024)

Kayden

• Origin: American (modern coinage, variant of Caden)
• Pronunciation: KAY-dun · ˈkeɪdən
• Meaning: warrior or fighter; spirit of battle
• Popularity: #125 and falling (#114 → #125, 2024)

Keith

• Origin: Scottish (place name/surname)
• Pronunciation: KEETH · ˈkiːθ
• Meaning: wood, forest
• Popularity: #756 and falling (#713 → #756, 2024)

Kentley

• Origin: English (unattested modern blend)
• Pronunciation: KENT-lee · ˈkɛntli
• Meaning: from the meadow’s edge
• Popularity: #10,391 and falling (#8,047 → #10,391, 2024)

Kenton

• Origin: Old English (place name/surname)
• Pronunciation: KEN-tən · ˈkɛntən
• Meaning: possibly ‘royal settlement’ (root uncertain)
• Popularity: #2,117 and falling (#2,020 → #2,117, 2024)

Kincaid

• Origin: Scottish (Gaelic habitational surname)
• Pronunciation: kin-KAYD · kɪnˈkeɪd
• Meaning: topographic surname: ‘head of the pass’ (or possibly ‘head of the quagmire’)
• Popularity: #4,015 and rising (#5,805 → #4,015, 2024)

Kipp

• Origin: English (uncertain, likely a variant of Kip)
• Pronunciation: KIP · ˈkɪp
• Meaning: from the small pointed hill
• Popularity: #2,141 and rising (#2,597 → #2,141, 2024)

Kipton

• Origin: English (surname-style coinage, likely ‘Kip’ + place-name suffix ‘-ton’)
• Pronunciation: KIP-tən · ˈkɪptən
• Meaning: one from the king’s forest
• Popularity: #3,012 and falling (#2,400 → #3,012, 2024)

Kyle

• Origin: Scottish (transferred surname/place name)
• Pronunciation: KYLE · ˈkaɪl
• Meaning: narrow strait, channel
• Popularity: #439 and falling (#419 → #439, 2024)

Earthy Boy Names That Start with K

Connect your son to nature with our earthy boy names starting with K. From Kai to Koda, these names are rooted in the natural world, perfect for a mom who values a close connection to the earth for her little boy.

Ky

• Origin: English (short form of Kylie/Kylee/Kyleigh)
• Pronunciation: KY · kaɪ
• Meaning: short form of Kylie/Kylee/Kyleigh used as a name on its own; no independent root meaning
• Popularity: #4,257 and falling (#3,381 → #4,257, 2024)

Kai

• Origin: Germanic/Scandinavian (also popularly linked to Hawaiian)
• Pronunciation: KY · ˈkaɪ
• Meaning: possibly from Latin Caius, or a Frisian pet form of Gerard/Cornelius/Nicholas (‘warrior’); popularly reinterpreted in the US as Hawaiian for ‘sea’
• Popularity: #76 and falling (#61 → #76, 2024)

Kye

• Origin: variant of Kai/Kay, or short form of Kyle/Kyler
• Pronunciation: KY · ˈkaɪ
• Meaning: either a phonetic variant of Kai (‘sea, ‘ Hawaiian) or a short form of Kyle/Kyler (‘narrow, strait, ‘ Celtic/Gaelic) — sources don’t agree on a single derivation
• Popularity: #1,195 and falling (#941 → #1,195, 2024)

Kos

• Origin: Disputed/unclear — possibly the Greek island name Kos, or coincidentally identical to the unrelated Slavic word ‘kos’ (‘blackbird’)
• Pronunciation: KOSS · kɒs
• Meaning: blackbird
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Kade

• Origin: English (modern coinage, variant of Cade)
• Pronunciation: KAYD · ˈkeɪd
• Meaning: possibly ’round’ (via an old word for a cask/barrel), as a modern respelling of Cade — root uncertain
• Popularity: #345 and rising (#350 → #345, 2024)

Koda

• Origin: Uncertain — popularly marketed as Native American, but not independently verified
• Pronunciation: KOH-dah · ˈkoʊdə
• Meaning: friend or little bear
• Popularity: #464 and falling (#412 → #464, 2024)

Hipster Boy Names That Start with K

Have an alternative style? Then our collection of hipster boy names starting with K will have you in awe. These names breathe indie coolness and offbeat charm, perfect for a mom seeking a name with a unique vibe for her little free spirit.

King

• Origin: English (word name / surname)
• Pronunciation: KING · ˈkɪŋ
• Meaning: ruler; word-name from the common noun ‘king’
• Popularity: #342 and falling (#266 → #342, 2024)

Koa

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: KOH-ah · ˈkoʊə
• Meaning: warrior, courage; also the name of a native Hawaiian tree
• Popularity: #292 and rising (#298 → #292, 2024)

Kael

• Origin: uncertain (possibly Irish)
• Pronunciation: KAYL · ˈkeɪl
• Meaning: slender
• Popularity: #1,467 and rising (#1,664 → #1,467, 2024)

Keanu

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: kee-AH-noo · kiˈɑːnuː
• Meaning: the coolness / cool breeze
• Popularity: #632 and falling (#537 → #632, 2024)

Kainoa

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: ky-NOH-uh · kaɪˈnoʊə
• Meaning: namesake
• Popularity: #1,698 and falling (#1,686 → #1,698, 2024)

Kaimana

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: ky-MAH-nah · kaɪˈmɑːnə
• Meaning: diamond
• Popularity: #3,290 and falling (#2,915 → #3,290, 2024)

Modern Boy Names That Start with K

Stay ahead of the curve with our modern boy names beginning with K. From Knox to Kayson, these names are fresh and contemporary, offering a stylish option for a mom seeking a name with a modern twist for her little trendsetter.

Kea

• Origin: uncertain (possibly Hawaiian-inspired coinage)
• Pronunciation: KAY-ah · ˈkeɪə
• Meaning: to rejoice
• Popularity: #11,717 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Knox

• Origin: Scottish/Old English (surname and place name)
• Pronunciation: NOKS · ˈnɑːks
• Meaning: small hill with a rounded top
• Popularity: #209 and falling (#208 → #209, 2024)

Kaizen

• Origin: Japanese
• Pronunciation: KY-zen · ˈkaɪzɛn
• Meaning: improvement, change for the better
• Popularity: #506 and rising (#587 → #506, 2024)

Kampbell

• Origin: Scottish (unattested modern respelling, likely of the surname Campbell)
• Pronunciation: KAM-bul · ˈkæmbəl
• Meaning: crooked smile
• Popularity: #6,621 and falling (#5,568 → #6,621, 2024)

Kingston

• Origin: English (place name/surname)
• Pronunciation: KING-stun · ˈkɪŋstən
• Meaning: king’s town/manor
• Popularity: #178 and falling (#142 → #178, 2024)

Kace

• Origin: modern coinage
• Pronunciation: KAYSS · ˈkeɪs
• Meaning: a shortened form of Casey, meaning vigilant or watchful
• Popularity: #999 and rising (#1,213 → #999, 2024)

Kian

• Origin: Irish (anglicized Cian) and/or Persian (independent name)
• Pronunciation: KEE-an · ˈkiːən
• Meaning: Irish: ‘ancient’ (via Cian); separately, Persian: ‘king’/’realm’
• Popularity: #416 and rising (#428 → #416, 2024)

Keaton

• Origin: English (surname, Devon place name)
• Pronunciation: KEE-tin · ˈkiːtən
• Meaning: enclosed farmstead (Devon place name: hedge/enclosure + farmstead)
• Popularity: #843 and rising (#875 → #843, 2024)

Kayson

• Origin: English (modern variant)
• Pronunciation: KAY-sun · ˈkeɪsən
• Meaning: modern variant of Cason
• Popularity: #291 and falling (#278 → #291, 2024)

Keanan

• Origin: Irish (uncertain)
• Pronunciation: KEE-nən · ˈkiːnən
• Meaning: possibly ‘ancient,’ via Keenan (Irish cian)
• Popularity: #11,638 and falling (#9,352 → #11,638, 2024)

Rare Boy Names That Start with K

Our selection of rare boy names starting with K are uncommon yet captivating, perfect for new parents seeking a name that’s truly one-of-a-kind for their precious little boy.

Kyson

• Origin: Modern coinage (blend of Kyle + Tyson/Bryson)
• Pronunciation: KY-sen · ˈkaɪsən
• Meaning: ocean or son of the water
• Popularity: #465 and falling (#420 → #465, 2024)

Kendrix

• Origin: English (patronymic surname, from Kendrick)
• Pronunciation: KEN-driks · ˈkɛndrɪks
• Meaning: greatest champion
• Popularity: #1,325 and rising (#1,561 → #1,325, 2024)

Kenrick

• Origin: English (Old English root, also merged with an unrelated Welsh name and Irish surname)
• Pronunciation: KEN-rik · ˈkɛnrɪk
• Meaning: royal power
• Popularity: #6,308 and rising (#7,511 → #6,308, 2024)

Kessler

• Origin: German (occupational surname)
• Pronunciation: KES-ler · ˈkɛslər
• Meaning: kettle-maker (coppersmith)
• Popularity: #5,543 and falling (#3,757 → #5,543, 2024)

Kipling

• Origin: English (surname/place name)
• Pronunciation: KIP-ling · ˈkɪplɪŋ
• Meaning: curer of salmon or herring
• Popularity: #11,692 and falling (#11,610 → #11,692, 2024)

Badass Boy Names That Start with K

Tap into your little one’s inner rebel with our collection of badass boy names starting with K. They offer a bold for your adventurous son.

Kashden

• Origin: American (modern coinage)
• Pronunciation: KASH-dən · ˈkæʃdən
• Meaning: power and potential
• Popularity: #8,631 and falling (#7,993 → #8,631, 2024)

Kylo

• Origin: Modern coinage (popularized by Star Wars)
• Pronunciation: KY-loh · ˈkaɪloʊ
• Meaning: sky, heavenly
• Popularity: #373 and rising (#405 → #373, 2024)

Kyrie

• Origin: Greek
• Pronunciation: KY-ree · ˈkaɪri
• Meaning: Lord
• Popularity: #235 and rising (#237 → #235, 2024)

Kendrick

• Origin: English (surname, variant of Kenrick)
• Pronunciation: KEN-drick · ˈkɛndrɪk
• Meaning: royal power
• Popularity: #478, holding steady (2024)

Kaylor

• Origin: English (modern, no attested root)
• Pronunciation: KAY-ler · ˈkeɪlər
• Meaning: fierce
• Popularity: #7,024 and falling (#4,402 → #7,024, 2024)

Killian

• Origin: Irish (anglicization of Cillian)
• Pronunciation: KIL-ee-an · ˈkɪliən
• Meaning: little church (disputed, possibly instead ‘bright-headed’ or war-related)
• Popularity: #369 and falling (#367 → #369, 2024)

Kemp

• Origin: English/Scottish (occupational surname)
• Pronunciation: KEMP · kɛmp
• Meaning: champion, warrior
• Popularity: #6,018 and rising (#6,721 → #6,018, 2024)

Unique Boy Names That Start with K

Stand out from the crowd with our unique boy names beginning with K.

Kenya

• Origin: Bantu (Kikuyu or Kamba, Kenya) — from the name of Mount Kenya
• Pronunciation: KEN-yuh · ˈkɛnjə
• Meaning: possibly ‘white mountain’ or simply ‘mountain’ (competing, unresolved theories)
• Popularity: #9,421 and rising (#10,315 → #9,421, 2024)

Kellen

• Origin: Irish
• Pronunciation: KEL-ən · ˈkɛlən
• Meaning: swampy area
• Popularity: #1,030 and falling (#922 → #1,030, 2024)

Keats

• Origin: English (surname/byname)
• Pronunciation: KEETS · ˈkiːts
• Meaning: kite (the bird) / bittern
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Kit

• Origin: English (nickname, multiple source names); also a Ukrainian-derived name meaning ‘tomcat’
• Pronunciation: KIT · ˈkɪt
• Meaning: depends on the full name: ‘bearer of Christ’ (short for Christopher); popularly ‘pure’ when short for Katherine/Kathleen (though Katherine’s own etymology is actually uncertain)
• Popularity: #1,150 and rising (#1,152 → #1,150, 2024)

Kenji

• Origin: Japanese
• Pronunciation: KEN-jee · ˈkɛndʒi
• Meaning: commonly ‘healthy/wise second son’ (varies by kanji chosen)
• Popularity: #855 and falling (#827 → #855, 2024)

More Names We Love

Kevin

• Origin: Irish
• Pronunciation: KEV-in · ˈkɛvɪn
• Meaning: handsome/gentle birth
• Popularity: #196 and falling (#187 → #196, 2024)

Kaleb

• Origin: Hebrew
• Pronunciation: KAY-leb · ˈkeɪlɛb
• Meaning: Hebrew for ‘dog’ — a variant spelling of Caleb, popularly linked to faithfulness
• Popularity: #278 and falling (#273 → #278, 2024)

Kenneth

• Origin: Scottish Gaelic
• Pronunciation: KEN-uth · ˈkɛnəθ
• Meaning: a blend of two old Gaelic names, one roughly ‘fire-born’, the other ‘the fair one’
• Popularity: #284 and falling (#262 → #284, 2024)

Khalil

• Origin: Arabic
• Pronunciation: kah-LEEL · kɑːˈliːl
• Meaning: friend, close companion
• Popularity: #390 and falling (#340 → #390, 2024)

Kameron

• Origin: Scottish
• Pronunciation: KAM-ur-on · ˈkæmərən
• Meaning: variant of Cameron, Scottish Gaelic for ‘crooked nose’
• Popularity: #428 and falling (#392 → #428, 2024)

Kolton

• Origin: English (respelling of Colton)
• Pronunciation: KOHL-tun · ˈkoʊltən
• Meaning: coal town (from Old English col + tun)
• Popularity: #529 and falling (#518 → #529, 2024)

Kingsley

• Origin: Old English (place name)
• Pronunciation: KINGZ-lee · ˈkɪŋzli
• Meaning: king’s wood, clearing, or meadow
• Popularity: #984 and falling (#850 → #984, 2024)

Kendall

• Origin: English (place name)
• Pronunciation: KEN-dul · ˈkɛndəl
• Meaning: valley of the River Kent
• Popularity: #1,231 and falling (#1,220 → #1,231, 2024)

Krish

• Origin: Sanskrit (short form used in South Asia)
• Pronunciation: KRISH · ˈkrɪʃ
• Meaning: short form of Krishna, understood as ‘dark, black’
• Popularity: #1,355 and falling (#1,333 → #1,355, 2024)

Konrad

• Origin: Germanic/German
• Pronunciation: KAHN-rad · ˈkɑːnræd
• Meaning: bold counselor, brave advisor
• Popularity: #1,896 and rising (#2,107 → #1,896, 2024)

Kurt

• Origin: German
• Pronunciation: KURT · ˈkɜːrt
• Meaning: contracted form of Konrad, ‘bold counsel’
• Popularity: #2,103 and rising (#2,402 → #2,103, 2024)

Klaus

• Origin: German
• Pronunciation: KLOWSS · ˈklaʊs
• Meaning: form of Nicholas (via Claus): victory of the people
• Popularity: #2,405 and falling (#2,207 → #2,405, 2024)

Konstantin

• Origin: Latin (via Constantinus), used across Russian, Bulgarian, Estonian, German and other languages
• Pronunciation: KAHN-stan-teen · ˈkɑːnstəntiːn
• Meaning: steadfast, constant
• Popularity: #4,489 and falling (#4,285 → #4,489, 2024)

Kainalu

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: ky-NAH-loo · kaɪˈnɑːluː
• Meaning: sea of rolling waves
• Popularity: #4,956 and rising (#5,157 → #4,956, 2024)

Kwabena

• Origin: Akan (Ghana) — traditional day-name
• Pronunciation: kwah-BEH-nah · kwɑːˈbɛnə
• Meaning: born on Tuesday
• Popularity: #5,776 and rising (#6,367 → #5,776, 2024)

Kelechi

• Origin: Igbo
• Pronunciation: keh-LEH-chee · kɛˈlɛtʃi
• Meaning: thank God
• Popularity: #6,634 and rising (#8,001 → #6,634, 2024)

Kenechukwu

• Origin: Igbo
• Pronunciation: keh-neh-CHOOK-woo · ˌkɛnɛˈtʃuːkwuː
• Meaning: gratitude/thanks given to God
• Popularity: #7,029 and rising (#8,594 → #7,029, 2024)

Kwadwo

• Origin: Akan (Ghana) — traditional day-name
• Pronunciation: KWAJ-oh · ˈkwɑːdʒoʊ
• Meaning: born on Monday
• Popularity: #7,500 and rising (#8,019 → #7,500, 2024)

Kristoffer

• Origin: Greek (Danish, via Christoffer/Christopher)
• Pronunciation: KRIS-tof-er · ˈkrɪstɒfər
• Meaning: Christ-bearer
• Popularity: #8,034 and rising (#10,310 → #8,034, 2024)

Kwesi

• Origin: Akan (Ghana) — traditional day-name
• Pronunciation: KWEH-see · ˈkwɛsi
• Meaning: born on Sunday
• Popularity: #8,038 and rising (#10,316 → #8,038, 2024)

Kirill

• Origin: Russian (from Greek)
• Pronunciation: kee-REEL · kɪˈrɪl
• Meaning: lordly (from Greek Kyrillos, related to kyrios ‘lord’)
• Popularity: #9,445 and falling (#8,013 → #9,445, 2024)

Kristof

• Origin: Hungarian/Central European
• Pronunciation: KRIS-tof · ˈkrɪstɑːf
• Meaning: form of Christopher, ‘Christ-bearer’
• Popularity: #11,707 and falling (#11,636 → #11,707, 2024)

Kazuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Pronunciation: kah-ZOO-kee · kɑːˈzuːki
• Meaning: varies by kanji; commonly rendered ‘harmony tree’
• Popularity: #13,240 and falling (#10,249 → #13,240, 2024)

Kenshin

• Origin: Japanese (kanji-dependent)
• Pronunciation: KEN-shin · ˈkɛnʃɪn
• Meaning: commonly ‘humble’ plus ‘faith/trust’ (kanji-dependent)
• Popularity: #13,264 and falling (#8,596 → #13,264, 2024)

Kiefer

• Origin: German (word/surname)
• Pronunciation: KEE-fer · ˈkiːfər
• Meaning: pine tree (also ‘jaw’ in German)
• Popularity: #13,302 and falling (#11,600 → #13,302, 2024)

Kehinde

• Origin: Yoruba
• Pronunciation: keh-HEEN-day · kɛˈhiːndeɪ
• Meaning: the twin born second
• Popularity: #16,418 and rising (#16,459 → #16,418, 2024)

Kahananui

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: kah-hah-nah-NOO-ee · kəˌhɑːnəˈnuːi
• Meaning: strenuous, hard work; a big undertaking
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Kahoku

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: kah-HOH-koo · kɑˈhoʊkuː
• Meaning: the star
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Kealoha

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: kay-ah-LOH-hah · ˌkeɪəˈloʊhɑ
• Meaning: the love / the loved one
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Kebede

• Origin: Amharic
• Pronunciation: keh-BEH-day · kɛˈbɛdeɪ
• Meaning: he became weighty/important (lit. ‘he grew heavy’)
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Khoren

• Origin: Armenian
• Pronunciation: kaw-REN · kɔːˈrɛn
• Meaning: of the sun
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Kidlat

• Origin: Filipino
• Pronunciation: kid-LAHT · kɪdˈlɑːt
• Meaning: lightning
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Konsta

• Origin: Finnish
• Pronunciation: KOHN-stah · ˈkoʊnstɑː
• Meaning: form of Constantine: steadfast, constant
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Kuldeep

• Origin: Sanskrit/Punjabi
• Pronunciation: kool-DEEP · kʊlˈdiːp
• Meaning: lamp of the family or clan
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Konane

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Pronunciation: koh-NAH-nay · koʊˈnɑːneɪ
• Meaning: moonlight, moon-bright
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Khariton

• Origin: Greek
• Pronunciation: khah-ree-TOHN · xɐrʲɪˈton
• Meaning: grace, favor
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Keabetswe

• Origin: Setswana
• Pronunciation: kay-ah-BET-sweh · keɪˌɑːˈbɛtswɛ
• Meaning: I have been given (a blessing)
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Khiêm

• Origin: Sino-Vietnamese
• Pronunciation: KYEM · kʰiəm
• Meaning: humble, modest
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

How These Names Are Trending

26 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 44 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

26 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 44 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

26 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 44 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

16 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 28 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

17 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 28 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

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Wrapping Up

As you look at boy names that start with K, I hope you find the perfect one for your baby boy. Whether you like classic names like Kyle or modern ones like Knox, there’s a name that fits your family’s style and feels just right.

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