Kiel
Kiel is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Wedge, narrow inlet, or shortened form of Ezekiel.
Origin and history
Kiel is a masculine name of Germanic origin, traditionally serving as a short form of Ezekiel or derived from the German place name and surname Kiel. It has maintained a steady but modest presence in the United States, remaining a relatively uncommon choice overall. Its brief single-syllable structure gives it a modern, concise feel.
Popularity in the United States
2,505 babies in the United States have been named Kiel since 1880. It ranks #2591 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1874.
States where it is most popular
- CA (19.8 %)
- IL (11.3 %)
- NY (8.4 %)
- OH (7.4 %)
- MI (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 27 |
| 1970-1980 | 91 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,504 |
| 1990-2000 | 509 |
| 2000-2010 | 214 |
| 2010-2019 | 107 |
| 2020-2029 | 53 |
Fun facts
- Kiel is a major maritime port city in northern Germany, famous for its naval tradition and annual sailing event, Kiel Week.
- Like many modern short names, Kiel fits into the popular English tradition of using geographic locations and surnames as given names.