"king, ruler, monarch"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
King
Pronunciation: [ k-IHNG ]
Does King flow with your last name?
A one-word crown — bold, aspirational, and unforgettable
American
English
African American
Bold
Royal
Strong
Modern
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like King
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to King
See all →What the King report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is King the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep King
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put King head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what King actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of King
King comes directly from the Old English word 'cyning,' meaning 'ruler' or 'tribal leader,' related to Old Norse 'konungr.' It shares its Germanic root with the German 'König' and Dutch 'Koning.' As a surname, King was an occupational name for someone who worked in a royal household or bore himself with kingly bearing. As a given name, King is part of the long English tradition of using titles and occupational surnames as first names.
King has risen sharply as a given name in the US since the 2010s, particularly in African American communities where title-as-name choices like King, Major, and Prince carry aspirational significance. It entered the US top 200 boys' names around 2015. The name carries the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In African American naming traditions, King carries the powerful legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who transformed American civil rights history. As a title-name, it also reflects a tradition of aspirational naming — giving a child a name that carries authority and greatness as an inheritance.
Historical Record
King first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 32,889 babies have been named King in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, King is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #343 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- King entered the US top 200 boys' names in 2016 and has climbed steadily since
- Martin Luther King Jr. was named after the Protestant reformer Martin Luther
- King is used as a first name in over 20 countries worldwide
King in Other Languages
Arabic
ملك
French
Roi
German
König
Italian
Re
Spanish
Rey
Swahili
Mfalme
Popularity Over Time
#343
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named King
K
King James (LeBron James)
Athlete
1984
LeBron James's widely used nickname, reflecting his dominance of the NBA and broader cultural influence
M
Martin Luther King Jr.
Activist
1929
American civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who led the movement to end racial segreg...
American civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who led the movement to end racial segregation in the United States
K
King Vidor
Other
1894
American film director and producer who made epic films including The Big Parade and The Crowd
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Raiden
Boy
"thunder god"
#449
Kayce
Boy
"alert, watchful, vigilant"
#420
Frederick
Boy
"peaceful ruler"
#424
Erick
Boy
"ever ruler, eternal king"
#333
Philip
Boy
"lover of horses"
#522
Compare King with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #343
- Total SSA Count
- 1,001
- Cultural Origins
- American English African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for King
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how King fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
King is also used as a girl name, ranked #66841.
View King as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like King →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare King with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with King
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with King and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how King sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Raiden
Boy
Japanese Shinto origin
"thunder god"
#449 in US
Kayce
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"alert, watchful, vigilant"
#420 in US
Frederick
Boy
Germanic origin
"peaceful ruler"
#424 in US
Erick
Boy
Old Norse origin
"ever ruler, eternal king"
#333 in US
Philip
Boy
Greek origin
"lover of horses"
#522 in US
Amari
Boy
Swahili origin
"eternal"
#172 in US
Elliott
Boy
Hebrew via Old French origin
"Jehovah is God; the Lord is my God"
#163 in US
Romeo
Boy
Old French origin
"Roman pilgrim"
#283 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with King's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About King
What does the name King mean?
"king, ruler, monarch" (from Old English). King comes directly from the Old English word 'cyning,' meaning 'ruler' or 'tribal leader,' related to Old Norse 'konungr.' It shares its Germanic root with the German 'König' and Dutch 'Koning.' As a surname, King was an occupational name for someone who worked in a royal household or bore himself with kingly bearing. As a given name, King is part of the long English tradition of using titles and occupational surnames as first names.
What is the origin of the name King?
King has Old English, American, English, and African American origins. In Old English, it means "king, ruler, monarch".
Is King a boy or girl name?
King is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #343. As a girl name, it is ranked #66841. King is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce King?
King is pronounced k-IHNG.
How popular is the name King?
King is currently ranked #343 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for King?
Popular middle name pairings include King James, King David, King Alexander, King Emmanuel, King Solomon, and King Theodore.
What are good sibling names for King?
Names that pair well with King as siblings include Major, Duke, Royal, Prince, Reign, and Legend.
How many syllables does King have?
King has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is King a common or rare name?
King is a popular name, ranked #343 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to King?
About the Name King
King is a boy name with American, English, and African American origins . The name means "king, ruler, monarch" in Old English .
Is King a boy or girl name? King is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #343 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #66,841. King is more commonly used as a boy name.
King is currently ranked #343 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name King has 1 syllable and is pronounced k-IHNG, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of King include Kingston, Kingsley, Kingstyn, Kingdom, Kingsten . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
K
Names Starting with K
More boy names like King
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis