King

At a Glance: Name: King – Meaning: ruler; word-name from the common noun 'king' – Origin: English (word name / surname) – Gender: Neutral – Pronunciation: KING

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King is a word-name, plain and simple: pronounced KING (/ˈkɪŋ/), it comes straight from the English word for a ruler. It's used for children of any gender and has both a bold and timeless, classic feel, so it reads as sturdy rather than flashy. There's no hidden meaning to look up — the name is the word.

Meaning & Origin of King

Meaning: Ruler; word-name from the common noun 'king'.

Origin: English (word name / surname).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce King

Phonetic: KING   IPA: /ˈkɪŋ/

Popularity of King

SSA records go back to 1880, and King hit its high point in 2017 at #147 with 2,694 babies given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #342, with 1,001 babies — fewer than its peak, but still a name parents are actively choosing.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make King Name Art

Free printable nursery art for King, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Adelynn
• Aubrey
• Audrey
• Blake
• Jett
• Kendrick

FAQ

What does the name King mean?

Ruler; word-name from the common noun ‘king’. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/King)

How do you pronounce King?

King is pronounced KING (IPA: /ˈkɪŋ/).

Is King a popular name right now?

King peaked at #147 in 2017 and is ranked #342 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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