Kingsley

Pronunciation: [ k-IHNGZL-ee ]

Girl Name #1,676 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Royal meadows and modern strength in one name

American English Australian

Royal Strong Modern Bold Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"from the king's wood"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

The Story of Kingsley

Kingsley is an Old English surname from the words "cyning" (king) and "leah" (clearing or meadow), meaning "the king's clearing" or "king's meadow." Originally a place name in England, it transitioned to a surname and eventually a given name. While historically used for boys, Kingsley has increasingly been embraced for girls since the 2010s as parents seek strong, surname-style names that transcend gender.

Kingsley began appearing on girls' name charts in the US around 2013-2016, riding the wave of surname-style names and gender-neutral names. Its regal "king" element appeals to parents seeking names that convey strength and nobility.

The surname Kingsley is associated with the Victorian novelist Charles Kingsley (The Water Babies). As a girl's name, Kingsley represents the modern American tradition of giving daughters powerful, traditionally male-associated names.

Fun Facts

Charles Kingsley (1819-1875), who wrote The Water Babies, made Kingsley a recognizable literary surname
Kingsley is part of the -ley suffix trend that includes Kinsley, Hensley, and Ansley on girl name charts

Kingsley in Other Languages

French Kingsley

German Kingsley

Spanish Kingsley

Japanese キングズリー

Famous People Named Kingsley

Ben Kingsley

Actor

1943

Academy Award-winning British actor known for Gandhi and Schindler's List

Charles Kingsley

Writer

1819

Victorian novelist and clergyman, author of The Water Babies and Westward Ho!

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,676
Total SSA Count: 122
Cultural Origins: American English Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

King Kinz Lee

Pairs Well With

Kingsley Rose Kingsley Grace Kingsley Mae Kingsley Jane Kingsley Elise Kingsley Claire Kingsley Violet

Sibling Names

Emery Hadley Sutton Beckett Harlow Briar Reid

Also a Boy Name

Kingsley is also used as a boy name, ranked #986.

View Kingsley as a boy name →

Similar Names

Kingsley Finlay Linley Lynlee Paisley Blakely Kenzie Kinsley

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kingsley

What does the name Kingsley mean?

"from the king's wood" (from Old English). Kingsley is an Old English surname from the words "cyning" (king) and "leah" (clearing or meadow), meaning "the king's clearing" or "king's meadow." Originally a place name in England, it transitioned to a surname and eventually a given name. While historically used for boys, Kingsley has increasingly been embraced for girls since the 2010s as parents seek strong, surname-style names that transcend gender.

What is the origin of the name Kingsley?

Kingsley has Old English, American, English, and Australian origins. In Old English, it means "from the king's wood".

Is Kingsley a boy or girl name?

Kingsley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1676. As a boy name, it is ranked #986. Kingsley is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Kingsley?

Kingsley is pronounced k-IHNGZL-ee.

How popular is the name Kingsley?

Kingsley is currently ranked #1676 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Kingsley?

Common nicknames for Kingsley include King, Kinz, and Lee.

What are good middle names for Kingsley?

Popular middle name pairings include Kingsley Rose, Kingsley Grace, Kingsley Mae, Kingsley Jane, Kingsley Elise, Kingsley Claire, and Kingsley Violet.

What are good sibling names for Kingsley?

Names that pair well with Kingsley as siblings include Emery, Hadley, Sutton, Beckett, Harlow, Briar, and Reid.

How many syllables does Kingsley have?

Kingsley has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Kingsley a common or rare name?

Kingsley is an uncommon name, ranked #1676 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Kingsley

Kingsley is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "from the king's wood" in Old English .

Is Kingsley a boy or girl name? Kingsley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,676 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #986. Kingsley is more commonly used as a boy name.

Kingsley is currently ranked #1,676 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Kingsley has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-IHNGZL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Kingsley include King, Kinz, and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.