Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kirk
BoyScottish, Old Norse· “church”
- Meaning
- church
- Origin
- Scottish, Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- KURK
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,551
- US babies 2025
- 52
- Best rank
- #138 (1962)
- Peak year
- 1962
Meaning and origin of Kirk
Kirk is a Scottish and Old Norse name that means “church”.
Kirk comes from a Scottish and northern English word for church, which in turn comes from Old Norse kirkja. It began as a surname for someone who lived near a church and later became a given name. Kirk gained wide recognition in the twentieth century through the actor Kirk Douglas and through Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek. The name is short, strong and confident, with a classic, mid-century feel. It offers a crisp, one-syllable option for parents who like names with a Scottish connection.
Popularity over time
Kirk has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 86 different years. Its best national rank was #138 in 1962, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,560 babies. In 2025, 52 babies were named Kirk, and it ranked #2,551 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,215 in 1920, #199 in 1950, #272 in 1980, #848 in 2000, #1,562 in 2010, and #2,551 in 2025. Of the 68,067 US boys named Kirk since records began, 33% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 16,223 babies. Since 2010, 1,269 more have been named Kirk.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kent, Reginald, Gregg, Doug, and Dwayne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kirk ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2348 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Kirk is usually pronounced KURK, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-rk”.
Middle names for Kirk
A few middle names that flow with Kirk: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kirk
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Lists that include Kirk
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kirk mean?
Kirk is a Scottish and Old Norse name that means “church”.
What is the origin of the name Kirk?
Kirk has Scottish and Old Norse roots. Kirk comes from a Scottish and northern English word for church, which in turn comes from Old Norse kirkja.
Is Kirk a popular name?
Not especially. Kirk ranked #2,551 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kirk a boy or girl name?
Kirk is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Kirk?
Kirk is usually pronounced KURK. 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