King
King Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈkɪŋ/
Meaning of King: The name King derives from the Old English word cyning, meaning ruler or chieftain, itself from Proto-Germanic kuningaz. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the term entered personal naming first as a title, then as an occupational surname, and finally as a given name in American usage during the 20th century.
As a surname, King has Anglo-Saxon roots documented in English records from the 12th century onward, typically denoting service in a royal household or ironic status-naming by medieval scribes. The surname became common enough in England to survive the full transition period following the Norman Conquest relatively intact, unlike many Old English surnames that disappeared under French pressure.
The use of King as a given name in America accelerated significantly after 1968, partly as a tribute to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated that year. SSA figures show a measurable uptick in the name among Black American families in the years immediately following his death, a naming tribute pattern documented by sociologists studying African-American onomastics.
What Does King Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to SSA records, King peaked in 2017, with 1,001 births recorded at rank 342 for boys. The name sees above-average use in the South and Southeast, where both the surname-as-given-name tradition and the King family legacy maintain strong cultural presence as of 2024.
Related forms include Kingston (English compound), Kingsley (surname origin), and Rex (the direct Latin equivalent meaning king). In African-American naming traditions, King often appears without a family connection to the surname, used purely as an aspirational given name expressing nobility and leadership.
How Popular Is King?
Numerology & Symbolism of King
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
King – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about King
What does the name King mean?
The name King derives from Old English roots, reflecting the Anglo-Saxon naming tradition that predates the Norman Conquest. Names of this origin typically referenced personal qualities, natural features, or family lineage meaningful to early English-speaking communities.
How popular is the name King in the United States?
According to SSA records, King ranked #342 for boy names in the United States, with 1,001 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2017. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name King come from?
The name King comes from English. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of English-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a boy’s name across the English-speaking world.