Knight
A boy's name of Old English origin with 878 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
An English surname originating as an occupation for someone who was a mounted soldier.
Knight is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the medieval word for a mounted warrior pledged to chivalric service — one of the most celebrated figures in European cultural imagination. As a given name, Knight projects courage, honor, and protectiveness.
Knight belongs to a growing category of occupational and title-based names — alongside Duke, Major, and Hunter — that appeal to parents who want something both strong and conceptually rich. Its single syllable packs considerable punch, and its associations with chivalry give it a nobility that few modern names can claim.
EtymologyShow more
Knight is cataloged under the Old English naming tradition. Names from the Old English tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Knight has been recorded as a boy's name since 1923, with 878 total births. Browse the Old English names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Knight has 27+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1923.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 310 | #2295 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 477 | #2742 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 70 | #9028 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 10 | #10038 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | #3958 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 6 | #4043 | — |
The Story of Knight
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Knight is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Knight are most likely born between 2012 and 2024.
How rare is Knight?
Only about 1 in every 73,469 babies born in 2024 was named Knight — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1923, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 477 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Knight by the numbers
- Would fill 18 school buses
- Meeting one Knight per day would take 2.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(27 years, 1923–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 49 | #2684 |
| 2023 | 61 | #2301 |
| 2022 | 74 | #2048 |
| 2021 | 58 | #2360 |
| 2020 | 68 | #2083 |
| 2019 | 70 | #2073 |
| 2018 | 57 | #2340 |
| 2017 | 60 | #2226 |
| 2016 | 52 | #2454 |
| 2015 | 57 | #2316 |
| 2014 | 43 | #2781 |
| 2013 | 40 | #2874 |
| 2012 | 38 | #3033 |
| 2011 | 36 | #3141 |
| 2010 | 24 | #4181 |
| 2009 | 17 | #5446 |
| 2008 | 12 | #7006 |
| 2007 | 6 | #11740 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8430 |
| 2005 | 7 | #9681 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knight a boy's or girl's name?
When was Knight most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1923–2024