Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kingston
BoyEnglish, Old English· “king's town”
- Meaning
- king's town
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- KIHNG-stuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #204
- US babies 2025
- 1,725
- Best rank
- #112 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Kingston
Kingston is an English and Old English name that means “king's town”.
Kingston comes from an Old English place name built from cyning, "king," and tun, "settlement," so it means "king's town." Many places in England carry the name, including Kingston upon Thames, where several Anglo-Saxon kings were crowned. The capital of Jamaica is also named Kingston. From these places came an English surname, and more recently a given name. Kingston has risen quickly in the United States along with other regal names like King and Royal. It sounds strong and confident, and the nicknames King and Kit give it a lighter side.
Famous parents who chose Kingston: Billie Lourd and Austen Rydell (2020). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Kingston first appears in US Social Security records in 1919. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 20 different years, starting in 2006. Its best national rank was #112 in 2021, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,410 babies. In 2025, 1,725 babies were named Kingston, and it ranked #204 nationally. That is 42% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,514 in 1950, #2,781 in 2000, #214 in 2010, and #204 in 2025. Of the 46,406 US boys named Kingston since records began, 55% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 15,867 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Legend, Emmett, Milo, Micah, and Walker.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kingston ranked highest in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Arkansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #48 | 44 |
| South Carolina | #71 | 70 |
| Arkansas | #79 | 39 |
| Louisiana | #87 | 55 |
| Kentucky | #97 | 55 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Kingston is usually pronounced KIHNG-stuhn, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with K and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Kingston
A few middle names that flow with Kingston: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kingston
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Lists that include Kingston
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kingston mean?
Kingston is an English and Old English name that means “king's town”.
What is the origin of the name Kingston?
Kingston has English and Old English roots. Kingston comes from an Old English place name built from cyning, "king," and tun, "settlement," so it means "king's town." Many places in England carry the name, including Kingston upon Thames, where several Anglo-Saxon kings were crowned.
Is Kingston a popular name?
Yes. Kingston ranked #204 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kingston a boy or girl name?
Kingston is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Kingston?
Kingston is usually pronounced KIHNG-stuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings