Knightley
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 102 recorded births. Also given to 33 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname
Knightley is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, an English place name and surname meaning 'knight's meadow' or 'clearing of the knights,' from the Old English cniht (knight, servant) and leah (clearing). The name gained cultural visibility through actress Keira Knightley.
Distinguished and storied, Knightley carries the chivalric heritage of medieval England — a name with armor in it, and a meadow, and the particular dignity of a name that has always belonged to people worth knowing.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Knightley is rooted in the Old English tradition, but its presence in American naming since 2009 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Knightley’s rarity (102 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Knightley has 12+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2009.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 47 | — |
| 2010s | 49 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 6 | — |
The Story of Knightley
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Knightley is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Knightley are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Knightley?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Knightley — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2009, peaked in the 2010s with 49 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Knightley by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(12 years, 2009–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #12793 |
| 2023 | 7 | #12830 |
| 2022 | 9 | #10820 |
| 2021 | 13 | #8277 |
| 2020 | 11 | #9250 |
| 2019 | 9 | #10952 |
| 2018 | 10 | #10214 |
| 2017 | 6 | #15086 |
| 2015 | 8 | #12440 |
| 2014 | 9 | #11490 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13955 |
| 2009 | 6 | #16306 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Knightley as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Knightley has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 33 births since 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knightley a boy's or girl's name?
When was Knightley most popular?
How popular is the name Knightley?
Can Knightley be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2009–2024