Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kinsley
GirlEnglish, Old English· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- KIHNZ-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #93
- US babies 2025
- 2,671
- Best rank
- #57 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Kinsley
Kinsley is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Kinsley comes from an English surname taken from a place name. There is a village called Kinsley in West Yorkshire, and the name's second part is the Old English leah, "woodland clearing" or "meadow." The first part is often said to mean "king" or "royal," but it is more likely a personal name, so the exact meaning is not certain. Kinsley rose quickly as a girls' name in the United States in the twenty-first century, following the fashion for surname names ending in -ley. It sounds bright and friendly, and Kins or Kinz can serve as nicknames. The spelling Kensley is a close variant.
Popularity over time
Kinsley first appears in US Social Security records in 1978. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 21 different years, starting in 2005. Its best national rank was #57 in 2021, and the most babies received it in 2017, when 4,053 were named Kinsley. In 2025, 2,671 babies were named Kinsley, and it ranked #93 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #8,594 in 1980, #1,611 in 2000, #307 in 2010, and #93 in 2025. Of the 50,016 US girls named Kinsley since records began, 53% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 20,182 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Adeline, Genesis, Reagan, Stella, and Brielle.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kinsley ranked highest in Mississippi, West Virginia, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #19 | 53 |
| West Virginia | #19 | 40 |
| Maine | #41 | 19 |
| Ohio | #50 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | #56 | 19 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kinsley is usually pronounced KIHNZ-lee, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-ey”.
Middle names for Kinsley
A few middle names that flow with Kinsley: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kinsley
Similar names
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RY-lee
“rye clearing” · English
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AW-dree
“noble strength” · English
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HAY-lee
“hay clearing” · English
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Sydney Girl
SIHD-nee
“from an English surname and place name” · Old English
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Hadley Girl
HAD-lee
“heather clearing” · English
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Marley Girl
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“pleasant wood or clearing” · English
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Presley Girl
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“priest's clearing” · English
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Haley Girl
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“hay clearing” · English
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Harley Unisex
HAR-lee
“hare meadow” · Old English
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Oakley Unisex
OHK-lee
“oak clearing” · English
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Kelsey Girl
KEHL-see
“from an English place name; ship island” · English
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Hayley Girl
HAY-lee
“hay clearing” · English
#1,251
Lists that include Kinsley
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kinsley mean?
Kinsley is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Kinsley?
Kinsley has English and Old English roots. Kinsley comes from an English surname taken from a place name.
Is Kinsley a popular name?
Yes. Kinsley ranked #93 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Kinsley a boy or girl name?
Kinsley is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kinsley?
Kinsley is usually pronounced KIHNZ-lee. 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