"king, ruler, monarch"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
King
Pronunciation: [ k-IHNG ]
Boy Name
#343 Most Popular
Rising
1 Syllable
A one-word crown — bold, aspirational, and unforgettable
American
English
African American
Bold
Royal
Strong
Modern
Unique
Meaning & Origin
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
King James
King David
King Alexander
King Emmanuel
King Solomon
King Theodore
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
King is also used as a girl name, ranked #66841.
View King as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.