AHEAD: The ultimate list of K names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.
If you’re looking for a cool boys’ name starting with the letter K, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single K name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
For each name, you’ll find its meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
Boy names that start with K are quite popular. (Though, not as popular as A names and J names).
There are 78 “K” names ranking in the top 1000.
There are also a bunch of other fantastic K names that are more rare (without being too out there).
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these cool boys’ names starting with the letter K.
Related: Girl Names Starting with K
Table of Contents
- POPULAR “K” NAMES
- SHORT “K” NAMES
- GENDER NEUTRAL “K” NAMES
- COOL “K” NAMES
- “K” NAMES USUALLY SPELLED WITH A “C”
- INTERNATIONAL “K” NAMES
Popular boy names that start with K
Kicking off our list of “K” names with some cool monikers that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 300.
Kaleb
- Name meaning: Devotion.
- Popularity: Kaleb ranks #232 and Caleb is #56.
Kayden or Kaiden or Kaden
- Name meaning: Battle.
- Popularity: Kayden ranks #99, Kaiden is #139, and Kaden is #254. Caden ranks #242, Cayden is #266, and Caiden is #381.
Kash
- Name meaning: Money. Short for Cassius, meaning empty or vain.
- Popularity: Kash ranks #255 and Cash is #265.
King or Kyng
- Name meaning: Ruler.
- Popularity: King ranks #171 and Kyng is #892.
Kingston
- Name meaning: King’s town.
- Popularity: #118
Knox
- Name meaning: Round-topped hill.
- Popularity: #236
Kobe
- Name meaning: Supplanter. God’s door. God may protect. Tortoise. A large city in Japan.
- Popularity: #239
Kyler
- Name meaning: Church. Monk’s cell.
- Popularity: #244
Kyrie or Kyree
- Name meaning: The Lord.
- Popularity: Kyrie ranks #223 and Kyree is #594.
If you like these popular boy names that start with K you’ll also like this list of southern names.
Short “K” names
These boys’ names are comprised of only 3 or 4 letters, and of course, they all start with the letter K!
Kace or Kase
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: Kace ranks #791 and Kase is #833.
Kade or Kaid
- Name meaning: Barrel.
- Popularity: Kade ranks #360 and Kaid isn’t ranking. Cade ranks #376.
Kage
- Name meaning: Cake. Shadow.
- Popularity: This unique boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kano
- Name meaning: Might mean god of the waters, capability, or masculine power. The second largest city in Nigeria.
- Popularity: This boys’ city name isn’t ranking.
Karl
- Name meaning: Free man.
- Popularity: Karl last ranked in 2009. Carl currently ranks #816.
Kash
- Name meaning: Money. Short for Cassius, meaning empty or vain.
- Popularity: Kash ranks #255 and Cash is #265.
Kato
- Name meaning: Wise.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kent
- Name meaning: Edge or border.
- Popularity: This German name last ranked in 2003.
Keon
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2011.
Kiel
- Name meaning: Short for Ezekiel, meaning God will strengthen.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kip or Kipp
- Name meaning: A nickname for Christopher, meaning bearer of Christ.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this boys’ name is ranking.
Kirk
- Name meaning: Church.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2002.
Koa
- Name meaning: Warrior.
- Popularity: #587
Koda
- Name meaning: A common Japanese surname.
- Popularity: #590
Kody
- Name meaning: Helpful.
- Popularity: Kody ranks #955 and Cody is #297.
Kole
- Name meaning: Charcoal.
- Popularity: Kole ranks #849 and Cole is #131.
Kolt
- Name meaning: Young horse.
- Popularity: Kolt isn’t ranking. Colt ranks #221.
Kona
- Name meaning: Toward the side sheltered from the wind.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kory or Korey
- Name meaning: In a hollow. (A hollow is a narrow area of low land between mountains).
- Popularity: Kory last ranked in 2003 and Korey last ranked in 2006. Cory currently ranks #907 and Corey is #525.
Kota
- Name meaning: Happiness. Good luck.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Krew or Kru or Krue
- Name meaning: Group.
- Popularity: Krew ranks #705. Kru and Krue aren’t ranking. Crew ranks #283.
Kruz
- Name meaning: Cross.
- Popularity: Kruz isn’t ranking. Cruz currently ranks #303.
Kurt
- Name meaning: Courteous.
- Popularity: Kurt last ranked in 2005. Curt isn’t currently ranking either.
Kyle
- Name meaning: Narrow land.
- Popularity: #313
Kylo
- Name meaning: A variation of Kyle, which means narrow land.
- Popularity: #449
Kyro or Kairo
- Name meaning: Victorious. Cairo is the capital of Egypt.
- Popularity: Kairo ranks #279 and Kyro is #850. Cairo ranks #346.
If you like these mini boy names that start with K you’ll also like this list of short names.
Gender-neutral “K” names
All of these K names would work for a boy or a girl.
Kai or Kye
- Name meaning: Sea.
- Popularity: For boys, Kai ranks #93 and Kye is #809. For girls, Kai is #794.
Kalix
- Name meaning: Husk or pod.
- Popularity: Kalix isn’t ranking for either gender. Neither is Calix or Calyx.
Kamari or Kamar
- Name meaning: Like the moon.
- Popularity: Kamari ranks #387 for boys and #946 for girls. Kamar isn’t ranking for either gender.
Kamden or Kamdyn or Kamdon
- Name meaning: Winding valley.
- Popularity: For boys, Kamden ranks #478, Kamdyn is #962, and Kamdon isn’t ranking. None of these K names are ranking for girls. (Camden ranks #167 for boys).
Kameron or Kamryn
- Name meaning: Crooked nose.
- Popularity: For boys, Kameron ranks #299, Kamryn is #855, and Cameron is #64. For girls, Kameron hasn’t ranked since 2000, Kamryn currently ranks #459, and Cameron is #489.
Karson or Karsyn or Karsen
- Name meaning: Son of marsh dwellers.
- Popularity: For boys, Karson ranks #264, Karsyn is #694, and Carson is #84. Karsen last ranked in 2012. Karsyn ranks #612 for girls.
Karter
- Name meaning: Transporter of goods.
- Popularity: For boys, Karter ranks #161 and Carter is #33. For girls, Karter ranks #887 and Carter is #515.
Kasey
- Name meaning: Vigilant or watchful.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for either gender.
Keller
- Name meaning: Cellar master. Overseer of the household.
- Popularity: This neutral name isn’t ranking for either gender.
Kendall
- Name meaning: Royal valley. Valley of the river Kent.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked for boys since 2018. It currently ranks #314 for girls.
Kennedy
- Name meaning: Helmeted chief.
- Popularity: This presidential name hasn’t ranked for boys since 2005. It currently ranks #72 for girls.
Kenner
- Name meaning: Connoisseur.
- Popularity: This cool city-inspired baby name isn’t ranking.
Kennon or Kennan
- Name meaning: Ancient or distant.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this name is ranking for boys or girls.
Kensley
- Name meaning: King’s meadow.
- Popularity: This name is not ranking for boys and ranks #453 for girls.
Kingsley
- Name meaning: King’s meadow.
- Popularity: This name ranks #630 for boys and is not ranking for girls.
Kinley
- Name meaning: Warrior.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for boys. For girls, Kinley ranks #431 and Kynlee is #808.
Kollin or Kollins
- Name meaning: Cub (baby animal) or victory of the people.
- Popularity: Kollin and Kollins aren’t ranking for either gender. For boys, Colin ranks #285 and Collin is #464. For girls, Collins (with an s) ranks #365.
If you like these gender-neutral names that start with the letter K you’ll also like this list of nonbinary names.
Cool “K” names
These boys’ names starting with K are perfect if you want something a little edgy but not too far out there.
Kashton
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: #441
Keanu
- Name meaning: Cool breeze.
- Popularity: #512
Keaton
- Name meaning: Place of hawks.
- Popularity: #690
Kellan or Kellen or Kellin
- Name meaning: Swamp. Slender.
- Popularity: Kellan ranks #687 and Kellen is #792. Kellin isn’t ranking.
Kelton
- Name meaning: Town of keels (part of a boat).
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2008.
Kenji
- Name meaning: Intelligent second son. Strong and vigorous.
- Popularity: #904
Kenzo
- Name meaning: Wise. Healthy. Humble. Three.
- Popularity: #544
Kepler
- Name meaning: Maker of cloaks and hoods. (The name of a famous astronomer and mathematician.)
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kiefer
- Name meaning: Overseer of a wine cellar. Pine tree.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kipton
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown. Probably an occupational name.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kirby
- Name meaning: Settlement by a church.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Knight
- Name meaning: Honored soldier.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kordell
- Name meaning: Maker of rope.
- Popularity: Kordell isn’t ranking. Cordell last ranked in 2008.
Koren
- Name meaning: Gleaming.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kylan or Kylen
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: Kylan ranks #526 and Kylen is #900.
Kyson
- Name meaning: Son of Ky or Kyle.
- Popularity: #461
If you like these cool boy names that start with K you’ll also like this list of edgy names.
“K” names that are typically spelled with a “C”
All of these boys’ names are more popular when spelled with the first letter of C. That said, they might be perfect if you’ve got your heart set on a K name!
Kallan or Kallen or Kalan
- Name meaning: Descendant of Cathalán.
- Popularity: None of these K names are ranking. Callan ranks #432 and Callen is #531.
Kallum or Kalum
- Name meaning: Dove.
- Popularity: Kallum and Kalum aren’t ranking. Callum ranks #335 and Calum is #922.
Kannon
- Name meaning: Artillery.
- Popularity: Kannon ranks #534 and Cannon is #543. (This is a rare case of a near-tie!)
Kanyon
- Name meaning: A gorge (usually with a river flowing through).
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking—and neither is the C version, Canyon.
Kassius
- Name meaning: Might mean empty or vain.
- Popularity: Kassius isn’t ranking. Cassius ranks #488.
Kohen or Koen
- Name meaning: Priest.
- Popularity: Kohen ranks #645. Koen last ranked in 2014. Cohen currently ranks #282 and Coen is #940.
Kolby
- Name meaning: From a coal town.
- Popularity: Kolby last ranked in 2016. Colby currently ranks #617.
Kolson or Kolsen or Koleson
- Name meaning: Son of Cole or Nicholas.
- Popularity: None of these K names is ranking. Colson ranks #350.
Kolter
- Name meaning: One who looks after horses.
- Popularity: Kolter isn’t ranking. Colter ranks #972.
Kolton or Kolten
- Name meaning: From the coal town.
- Popularity: Kolton ranks #444. Kolten last ranked in 2019. Colton currently ranks #66 and Colten is #756.
Korbin or Korbyn or Korben
- Name meaning: Crow.
- Popularity: Korbin ranks #710, Korbyn is #991, and Korben isn’t ranking. Corbin ranks #347.
Kreed
- Name meaning: Set of beliefs.
- Popularity: Kreed isn’t ranking. Creed ranks #796.
Kristian
- Name meaning: Follower of Christ.
- Popularity: Kristian ranks #819, Christian is #62, and Cristian is #331.
Kristopher
- Name meaning: Bearer of Christ.
- Popularity: Kristopher ranks #827 and Christopher is #47.
Kurtis
- Name meaning: Courteous.
- Popularity: Kurtis last ranked in 2003. Curtis currently ranks #701.
If you like these boy names that start with K you might also like this complete list of C names for boys.
Irish & Scottish “K” names
I was surprised to discover that there’s a large number of Irish and Scottish boys’ names that start with the letter K! Here are the most popular ones…
Related: Scottish and Irish Girl Names
Kane or Kain or Kaine
- Name meaning: Warrior.
- Popularity: Kane ranks #337. Kain and Kaine aren’t ranking. Cain ranks #886.
Keane
- Name meaning: Ancient or distant.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Keegan or Kegan
- Name meaning: Son of Aodhagán, meaning fire.
- Popularity: Keegan ranks #494 and Kegan isn’t ranking.
Keenan or Kenan
- Name meaning: Ancient or distant.
- Popularity: Keenan ranks #990 and Kenan isn’t ranking.
Keith
- Name meaning: Forest.
- Popularity: #596
Kelvin
- Name meaning: A river in Scotland. A unit of thermodynamic temperature.
- Popularity: #923
Kendrick
- Name meaning: Greatest champion. Family ruler.
- Popularity: #427
Kenneth
- Name meaning: Fire-born. Handsome.
- Popularity: #243
Kevin
- Name meaning: Of noble birth. Handsome.
- Popularity: #156
Kian or Kiaan
- Name meaning: Ancient.
- Popularity: Kian ranks #452 and Kiaan ranks #794.
Kieran
- Name meaning: Little dark one.
- Popularity: #517
Killian or Kylian
- Name meaning: Might mean bright-headed, little church, strife, or war.
- Popularity: Killian ranks #351 and Kylian is #996. Cillian ranks #964.
If you like these Scottish and Irish boy names that start with K you may also like this list of 1-syllable names.
More international “K” names
This next batch of boys’ K names comes from across the globe. These names are of Arabic, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Persian, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Spanish, and West African origin, respectively.
Related: Exotic Girl Names
Kabir
- Name meaning: Greatness.
- Popularity: This Arabic name ranks #859.
Kairos
- Name meaning: An opportune moment.
- Popularity: This Greek boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kaiser or Kaizer or Kyzer or Kyser
- Name meaning: Emperor.
- Popularity: The German name Kaiser ranks #869. Kaizer, Kyzer, and Kyser aren’t ranking.
Kalel
- Name meaning: Superman’s Kryptonian name. Might mean voice of God when written in Hebrew.
- Popularity: #995
Kamal
- Name meaning: Perfection, superiority, accomplishment, beauty. Lotus. Pale red.
- Popularity: This Arabic and Persian boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Kareem
- Name meaning: Generous.
- Popularity: This Arabic name ranks #638.
Khalid
- Name meaning: Eternal.
- Popularity: This Arabic name ranks #896.
Khalil or Khaleel
- Name meaning: Friend.
- Popularity: The Arabic name Khalil ranks #276. Khaleel isn’t ranking.
Khari
- Name meaning: Kingly.
- Popularity: This West African name ranks #675.
Konstantin or Konstantinos
- Name meaning: Constant or steadfast.
- Popularity: Neither of these Latin names is ranking.
Kortez
- Name meaning: Courteous.
- Popularity: The Spanish name Kortez isn’t ranking. Cortez last ranked in 2013.
Kristiano
- Name meaning: Italian and Portuguese version of Christian.
- Popularity: Neither Kristiano or Cristiano is currently ranking.
Kristoff or Krystoff
- Name meaning: Bearer of Christ.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this Greek or Scandinavian K name is ranking.
Kyron
- Name meaning: Might mean hand, little dark one, ruler, or leader.
- Popularity: This Greek name last ranked in 2011.
If you like these international boy names that start with K you may also like this list of 3-syllable names.
BOY NAMES BY LETTER
| A NAMES | M NAMES |
| B NAMES | N NAMES |
| C NAMES | O NAMES |
| D NAMES | P NAMES |
| E NAMES | R NAMES |
| F NAMES | S NAMES |
| G NAMES | T NAMES |
| H NAMES | V NAMES |
| I NAMES | W NAMES |
| J NAMES | X NAMES |
| K NAMES | Y NAMES |
| L NAMES | Z NAMES |
More baby names for boys:
- One Syllable Boy Names for Modern Little Dudes
- 100+ Space Names for Babies that are Actually Cool
- 135 Short Boy Names for Modern Babies
Final thoughts on “K” boy names
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s popular, short, gender-neutral, of English origin, or of global origin, all of these boys’ names are fantastic choices.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your son!
