King
King is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Ruler, monarch, or leader.
Origin and history
King is an English vocabulary name derived from the Old English title for a monarch. Historically used as a surname or nickname, it gained traction as a given name in the United States during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It remains a popular modern choice, currently ranking in the top 250 male names in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
37,850 babies in the United States have been named King since 1880. It ranks #588 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #232.
States where it is most popular
- TX (10.6 %)
- CA (9.5 %)
- FL (9.2 %)
- GA (7.5 %)
- NY (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 229 |
| 1890-1900 | 233 |
| 1900-1910 | 277 |
| 1910-1920 | 795 |
| 1920-1930 | 998 |
| 1930-1940 | 801 |
| 1940-1950 | 818 |
| 1950-1960 | 708 |
| 1960-1970 | 454 |
| 1970-1980 | 316 |
| 1980-1990 | 335 |
| 1990-2000 | 439 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,950 |
| 2010-2019 | 20,440 |
| 2020-2029 | 9,057 |
Fun facts
- The name directly comes from the Old English word 'cyning', meaning ruler or head of a tribe.
- Although used as a given name for over a century, King has seen a significant rise in usage since the 2000s in the United States.