Names That Start with K

Many K names are respellings of names more often written with C. Kaleb is a K spelling of a Hebrew Bible name, Khloe is a K spelling of a Greek one, and Katherine has many spelling cousins of its own. Parents often choose the K for its sharp, clean look, but it is worth thinking about how often your child will need to spell the name aloud.

The list is especially rich in variant spellings. Kayden, Kaden and Kaiden are three forms of the same modern name, and Kaylee and Kayla share a similar sound. Kylie and Kyle are separate names: Kyle comes from a Scottish Gaelic word for a narrow strait. If you like one of these sounds, choosing the most familiar spelling usually means fewer corrections.

Several K names have clear origins. Kevin comes from an Irish saint, Kennedy is an Irish surname, and Kimberly takes its name from a place. Katherine goes back to Greek and has been carried by saints and queens. Kai is used in several languages, including Hawaiian, where it means sea. Kinsley began as an English place name. The hard k sound at the start gives these names energy, so many parents pair them with a softer middle name for balance.