Kipper

A boy's name of Old English origin with 95 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Kipper is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, derived from a surname associated with fishermen — from the Old English cypera, a spawning salmon, or from kip, a pointed hill. The name has also been used as a lively nickname name, with the energy of a short, punchy surname-style choice.

Kipper has an endearing, slightly offbeat charm — a name that's impossible to say without a slight smile, carrying warmth and good humor.

EtymologyShow more

Kipper first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1955. Arriving in the 1950s, Kipper appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.

Its Old English classification suggests a path from old english linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.

At a Glance

Total births

Since 1955

1976

Peak

10 births

1955

First recorded

60 years of data

Compare Kipper with another name

Popularity Over Time

Kipper has 15+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1955.

First appeared: 1955Peak: 1976 (10 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kipper
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2010s	12	#11515	▼
1970s	33	#4942	▼
1960s	38	#3847	▲
1950s	12	#3794	—

The Story of Kipper

A Gen X name

Peaking in 1976, Kipper is a Gen X staple. Boys named Kipper are most likely born between 1966 and 1986.

How rare is Kipper?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kipper is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1955, peaked in the 1960s with 38 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Kipper by the numbers

Would fill 2 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(15 years, 1955–2014)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kipper
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2014	6	#11501	0
2013	6	#11528	+1 (20.0%)
1978	5	#6331	-5 (-50.0%)
1976	10	#3618	+4 (66.7%)
1975	6	#5146	-1 (-14.3%)
1973	7	#4306	+2 (40.0%)
1971	5	#5311	0
1969	5	#4732	-1 (-16.7%)
1967	6	#3784	-2 (-25.0%)
1964	8	#3166	+2 (33.3%)
1963	6	#3840	-2 (-25.0%)
1962	8	#3177	+3 (60.0%)
1961	5	#4382	-2 (-28.6%)
1959	7	#3441	+2 (40.0%)
1955	5	#4146	—

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kipper is primarily a boy's name.

When was Kipper most popular?

Kipper reached its peak popularity in 1976 with 10 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Kipper?

Kipper is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 95 babies in the U.S. since 1955. Its peak was in 1976.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1955–2014