Is Kingsley a boy's or girl's name?

Kingsley is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 2,042 recorded births.

When was Kingsley most popular?

Kingsley reached its peak popularity in 2016 with 473 births that year. It is currently ranked #984 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Kingsley?

Kingsley is currently ranked #984 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 6,506 babies since 1907.

Kingsley

A Old English name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#984▼ 134in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Kingsley is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the English place name meaning "king's meadow" or "king's clearing," from the Old English cyning (king) and leah (meadow). It carries both regal dignity and the pastoral quality of English landscape names.

Kingsley has been growing in the United States as a distinguished surname name with an unmistakable royal quality. Actor Ben Kingsley — Sir Ben Kingsley, the Oscar winner for Gandhi — is the name's most celebrated bearer, and his knighthood makes the king- prefix feel entirely appropriate.

Compare Kingsley with another name

Popularity Over Time

Kingsley climbed 3923 spots in the last 20 years — from #4907 to #984.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kingsley
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,666	#781	▼
2010s	3,178	#781	▲
2000s	411	#2982	▲
1990s	283	#2729	▲
1980s	249	#2314	▲
1970s	128	#3095	▲
1960s	75	#3387	▼
1950s	101	#2688	▼
1940s	129	#2231	▲
1930s	81	#2848	▼
1920s	101	#3035	▲
1910s	97	#2208	▲
1900s	7	#1150	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(113 years, 1907–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kingsley
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	228	#984	-57 (-20.0%)
2023	285	#850	-65 (-18.6%)
2022	350	#738	-24 (-6.4%)
2021	374	#703	-55 (-12.8%)
2020	429	#628	+13 (3.1%)
2019	416	#646	+14 (3.5%)
2018	402	#643	+8 (2.0%)
2017	394	#653	-79 (-16.7%)
2016	473	#584	+150 (46.4%)
2015	323	#750	+14 (4.5%)
2014	309	#762	+89 (40.5%)
2013	220	#929	-24 (-9.8%)
2012	244	#866	+48 (24.5%)
2011	196	#992	-5 (-2.5%)
2010	201	#981	+114 (131.0%)
2009	87	#1760	+18 (26.1%)
2008	69	#2035	+26 (60.5%)
2007	43	#2787	+4 (10.3%)
2006	39	#2909	+9 (30.0%)
2005	30	#3354	+13 (76.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Kingsley as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Kingsley has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 2,042 births since 1977.

#1673

Current rank

2,042

Total births

2020

Peak year

Compare Kingsley as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Kingsley be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Kingsley is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #984. As a girl's name, it ranks #1673.

Kingsley has two lives

Kingsley, the baby name

#984boys

6,506 babies

Currently viewing

Kingsley, the pet name

#1306pet name

84 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1907–2024) · Methodology