Kyung
Primarily a girl's name of Korean origin with 86 recorded births. Also given to 27 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Kyung is a vintage name that peaked in the Baby Boom and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Kyung is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kyung is a girl's and boy's baby name of Korean origin, commonly written with characters meaning 'respect' (경) or 'capital, scenery' depending on the hanja. It is a traditional Korean given name used for both genders.
Kyung is Korean respect — a single syllable carrying deep Confucian values of honor and reverence.
EtymologyShow more
Though Kyung dates back to 1947 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Korean classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 86 recorded births, Kyung has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kyung has 15+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1947.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7 | #11212 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 11 | #10486 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | #9806 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 12 | #6722 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 39 | #5871 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 12 | #5086 | — |
The Story of Kyung
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1949, Kyung is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Kyung are most likely born between 1947 and 1959.
How rare is Kyung?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kyung is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1947, peaked in the 1950s with 39 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kyung by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(15 years, 1947–1993)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 7 | #11212 |
| 1983 | 5 | #11134 |
| 1982 | 6 | #9837 |
| 1975 | 5 | #9806 |
| 1969 | 6 | #7041 |
| 1967 | 6 | #6403 |
| 1959 | 5 | #6750 |
| 1958 | 5 | #6564 |
| 1957 | 6 | #5753 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5523 |
| 1953 | 7 | #4810 |
| 1952 | 5 | #5997 |
| 1950 | 5 | #5703 |
| 1949 | 7 | #4456 |
| 1947 | 5 | #5715 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Kyung as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Kyung has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 27 births since 1990.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kyung a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kyung most popular?
How popular is the name Kyung?
Can Kyung be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1947–1993