There’s something lively about the letter K. It can sound soft in a name like Kaia or bold in a name like Kennedy, giving you a surprising range of girl names that start with K.

Each name below includes a meaning or origin to give you more context as you compare favorites. Keep an eye on how each one sounds with your last name and whether you like its natural nicknames.

Girl Names That Start With K

The names are grouped by style, and each section is alphabetized to make it easier to compare favorites.

10 Popular Girl Names That Start With K

According to 2025 data from the Social Security Administration, these K girl names ranked in the U.S. top 1,000. They are listed alphabetically, not by rank.¹

1. Kaia — Latin for “rejoice” and Hawaiian for “sea.”

2. Kamila — This name means “young ceremonial attendant” in Latin and “perfect” in Arabic.

3. Katherine — Greek for “pure.”

4. Kaylee — An American name that means “laurel” or “crown” in English.

5. Kehlani — Hawaiian for “sea and sky.”

6. Kennedy — This name means “helmet-head” in Irish.

7. Khloe — Greek for “young green shoot.”

8. Kimberly — This name means “Cyneburga’s meadow” in English.

9. Kinsley — An English name meaning “king’s meadow.”

10. Kylie — This Scottish name means “narrow channel.”

21 Cute Girl Names That Start With K

1. Kaede — This name means “maple” in Japanese.

2. Kaipo — Hawaiian for “sweetheart.”

3. Kandi — In English, this name means “queen mother.”

4. Kasey — An Irish name meaning “brave in battle.”

5. Kat — This name means “pure” in Greek.

6. Katey — This name is also Greek for “pure.”

7. Kayleigh — An English name meaning “crown” or “laurel.”

8. Keegan — Irish for “son of Egan.”

9. Keely — This name means “slender” in Irish.

10. Keesha — English for “joy.”

11. Kelsey — This name means “Cenel’s island” in English.

12. Kenna — Scottish for “born of fire.”

13. Kessie — This name means “cassia tree” in Hebrew.

14. Keziah — This name is also Hebrew for “cassia tree.”

15. Kienan — Irish for “ancient.”

16. Kim, Kimmy — This name means “Cyneburga’s meadow” in English.

17. Kirstie — Scottish for “anointed.”

18. Kit — English for “pure.”

19. Kodi — This name means “helpful” in English.

20. Krissi — Latin for “follower of Christ.”

21. Kyle — A Scottish name meaning “narrow spit of land.”

18 Pretty Girl Names That Start With K

For a softer sound, Kara, Karina, Keturah, Kimber, and Krystal are especially pretty K names to consider.

1. Kace — An Irish name meaning “vigilant” or “watchful.”

2. Kaitlin, Kaitlyn — Irish for “pure.”

3. Kameron — This name means “crooked nose” in Scottish.

4. Kaprice — French and Italian for “impulsive change of mind.”

5. Kara — This Norse name means “wild stormy one.”

6. Karina — This name means “little dear one” in Russian.

7. Karla — A German name meaning “free.”

8. Karlie — This name is also German for “free.”

9. Kassidy — Gaelic for “clever” or “curly-headed.”

10. Katie — The meaning of this name is “pure” in English.

11. Kaur — A Punjabi title used by Sikh women, traditionally understood to mean “princess.”

12. Kellyanne — Gaelic for “bright-headed.”

13. Kerry — An Irish name meaning “dark-haired.”

14. Keturah — This name means “incense” in Hebrew.

15. Kimber — An English name meaning “Cyneburga’s meadow.”

16. Kirsten — This Scandinavian name means “a Christian.”

17. Kristin — German for “a Christian.”

18. Krystal — Greek for “ice” or “gemstone.”

12 Beautiful Girl Names That Start With K

1. Kadence — Latin for “rhythm” or “beat.”

2. Kadijah — An Arabic name meaning “trustworthy.”

3. Kalla — This name means “most beautiful” in Greek.

4. Kalliope — A Greek name meaning “beautiful voice.”

5. Kamellia — Czech for “Kamel’s flower.”

6. Karissa — A Greek name meaning “grace.”

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7. Katya — Russian for “pure.”

8. Keira — This name means “little dark one” in Irish.

9. Kourtney — A French name meaning “short nose.”

10. Krista — This Czech name means “a Christian.”

11. Krystabelle — English and Greek for “sparkling.”

12. Kyla — Scottish for “a narrow spit of land.”

10 Familiar Girl Names That Start With K

1. Kailani — This name means “sea and sky” in Hawaiian.

2. Kali — The meaning of this name is “black one” in Sanskrit.

3. Katalina — Spanish and Greek for “pure.”

4. Kate — An English name meaning “pure.”

5. Kayla — This name means “laurel” or “crown” in Hebrew.

6. Kendell — English for “valley of the river Kent.”

7. Kenzie — In Scottish, this name means “son of Kenneth.”

8. Kiara — Italian for “light.”

9. Kira — A name used in several languages whose origin and meaning vary by tradition.

10. Kora — English and Greek for “maiden.”

12 Badass Girl Names That Start With K

1. Kainda — This name means “hunter’s daughter” in Bantu.

2. Kalypso — A Greek name meaning “she who hides.”

3. Karma — This name means “destiny” in Hindi.

4. Kassiani — Greek for “cinnamon.”

5. Katana — A Japanese word for a curved, single-edged sword.

6. Katniss — A nature name taken from an aquatic plant in the genus Sagittaria.

7. Katonah — A Native American name that means “big mountain” in Munsee.

8. Kenya — This name means “mountain of white” in Kikuyu.

9. Kesha — A Russian diminutive of Innokentiy, a name meaning “innocent.”

10. Khaleesi — This name means “queen” in Dothraki, a fictional language created by George R.R. Martin.

11. Killian — An Irish name meaning “war strife” or “church.”

12. Kulture — An American name that means “arts” or “customs” in English.

12 International Girl Names That Start With K

For Japanese names, meaning can vary according to the kanji used; the translations below reflect common interpretations.

1. Kairi — Japanese for “sea.”

2. Kalista — A Greek name meaning “most beautiful.”

3. Kaori — This name means “smell” or “fragrance” in Japanese.

4. Kaulana — Hawaiian for “famous.”

5. Kavita — This name means “poem” in Sanskrit.

6. Kazue — Japanese for “branch of peace.”

7. Keana — Irish for “ancient” and Hawaiian for “divine.”

8. Keiko — Japanese for “happy child.”

9. Kismet — Arabic for “fate” or “destiny.”

10. Koa — A Hawaiian name meaning “warrior.”

11. Kohana — A Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji used; one possible interpretation is “little flower.”

12. Kyomi — This name means “pure and beautiful” in Japanese.

11 Vintage and Old-Fashioned Girl Names That Start With K

Karen, Kathleen, Kathy, Kay, and Kitty give this section its strongest old-fashioned feel.

1. Karen — This Danish name means “pure.”

2. Kassandra — A Greek name meaning “shining.”

3. Kathleen — This name means “pure” in Irish.

4. Kathy — A vintage version of “Katherine.”

5. Katrina — The meaning of this name is “pure” in German.

6. Kay — An English form of “Katherine.”

7. Kelly — Irish for “war.”

8. Kendra — This name means “knowing” in English.

9. Kensington — An English name meaning “the town of Cynsige’s people.”

10. Kitty — This is another old nickname for “Katherine.”

11. Kristine — This Scandinavian name means “a Christian.”

58 Unique Girl Names That Start With K

1. Kader — Turkish for “destiny.”

2. Kadesha — This name means “trustworthy” or “respected” in Arabic.

3. Kaliana — This name means “compassionate” in Sanskrit.

4. Kalpana — In Sanskrit, the name Kalpana means “fantasy.”

5. Kamini — Kamini is a name that means “desirable” in Sanskrit.

6. Kanako — A Japanese name meaning “child.”

7. Kanda — This Thai name means “beloved.”

8. Kansas — An American name for one of the United States. It means “people of the west wind.”

9. Karalee — Latin for “dear.”

10. Karolyna — A French name meaning “free.”

11. Karsyn — English and Scottish, “of the marsh dwellers.”

12. Karter — This is an English occupational name for someone who transports goods by cart.

13. Katelyn, Katelin — Irish for “pure.”

14. Kathlynn — This name also means “pure” in Irish.

15. Katleho — This name means “prosperity” in Sotho.

16. Kaveri — This name means “river” in Sankethi.

17. Kawthar — Arabic for “abundance.”

18. Kaytee — A unique spelling of “Katie.” It means “pure” in English.

19. Keahi — This Hawaiian name means “the fire.”

20. Keandra — English for “knowing.”

21. Keaton — An English name meaning “shed town.”

22. Keeleigh — This name means “slender” in Irish.

23. Kei — Japanese for “intelligent.”

24. Kelechi — This name means “thank God” in Igbo.

25. Kelsie — English for “Cenel’s island.”

26. Kemberly — A unique spelling of “Kimberly.” It is English for “Cyneburga’s meadow.”

27. Kenz — This name means “treasure” in Arabic.

28. Kevia — This name means “handsome” in Irish.

29. Khaing — This name means “strong” in Burmese.

30. Khala — A Hawaiian name meaning “princess” or “noblewoman.”

31. Khanh — Vietnamese for “celebrate.”

32. Khaniya — This name means “song” in Urdu.

33. Kharisma — The meaning of this name is “gift of grace” in Greek.

34. Khione — Greek for “snow.”

35. Kibibi — This name means “little lady” in Swahili.

36. Kiera — Irish for “little dark one.”

37. Kila — This name means “graceful” in English and Irish.

38. Kimora — An English name meaning “from the golden meadow.”

39. Kinga — Hungarian and Polish for “brave.”

40. Kingsley — This name means “king’s meadow” in English.

41. Kiraz — Turkish for “cherry.”

42. Kirby — An English name meaning “church settlement.”

43. Kirsi — A Finnish form of Christina; it can also be a short form of Kirsikka.

44. Klara — German and Russian for “light.”

45. Kleopatra — This name means “glory of her father” in Greek.

46. Kohaku — Japanese for “amber.”

47. Koko — This name means “stork” in Japanese.

48. Korabelle — Greek for “maiden.”

49. Kornelia — Latin for “horn.”

50. Korrine — This name also means “maiden” in Greek.

51. Koryn — Greek for “maiden” and Latin for “spear.”

52. Krislyn — An English name meaning “follower of Christ.”

53. Kristalee — Greek for “brilliant” or “sparkling glass.”

54. Kruti — This name means “creation” in Hindi.

55. Kunali — This name means “golden lotus” in Hindi.

56. Kylee — Scottish for “narrow channel.”

57. Kym — A unique spelling for “Kim.” It means “Cyneburga’s meadow” in English.

58. Kyreena — A Persian name meaning “throne.”

69 Rare Girl Names That Start With K

1. Kagiso — This name means “peace” in Tswana.

2. Kahurangi — This name means “sky blue” in Māori.

3. Kakia — A Greek name meaning “bad” or “evil.”

4. Kalisha — This name means “great joy” in English.

5. Kanya — This name means “young woman” in Thai.

6. Karam — Arabic for “generosity” or “nobleness.”

7. Karin — A Danish name meaning “pure.”

8. Karitas — An Icelandic name meaning “beloved.”

9. Karmina — This name means “garden.”

10. Kashmir — This name means “desiccated land” in Sanskrit.

11. Kasia — Polish for “pure.”

12. Kasih — An Indonesian name meaning “love.”

13. Katar — An Armenian name meaning “peak” or “summit.”

14. Kateryna — This Ukrainian name means “pure.”

15. Katrice — A German name meaning “pure.”

16. Katriona — This name also means “pure” in German.

17. Kaui — A Hawaiian name meaning “youthful one.”

18. Kayloni — Hawaiian for “thanks” or “heaven.”

19. Kaysen — A Scottish name meaning “son of the marsh-dwellers.”

20. Kayslee — Welsh for “wharf” and Old English for “key.”

21. Keandrea — Irish for “ancient.”

22. Kearria — An English name meaning “little dark one.”

23. Kechia — Hebrew for “cinnamon blossom.”

24. Keera — An Irish name meaning “little dark one.”

25. Keerthi — This name means “having fame and glory” in Hindi.

26. Keighley — This Irish name means “slender.”

27. Kelsa — English for “brave.”

28. Kemper — German and Dutch for “hemp farmer.”

29. Kena — A Welsh name meaning “greatest champion.”

30. Kenleigh — English for “well-known clearing.”

31. Kennetha — This name means “fireborn” or “good-looking” in Scottish.

32. Kerenza — A Cornish name meaning “love.”

33. Kesley — This name means “victory of the ship” in Old English.

34. Ketsia — Hebrew for “cassia tree.”

35. Keya — This name means “monsoon flower” in Sanskrit.

36. Khali — Arabic for “immortal.”

37. Khelani — This Hawaiian name means “majestic.”

38. Khianna — This name means “beautiful” in Gujarati.

39. Kiania — A Portuguese name meaning “dawn.”

40. Kiersti — Scottish for “follower of Christ.”

41. Kilala — This name means “ambrosia” in Sanskrit.

42. Kimia — Japanese for “righteous.”

43. Kindell — A rare spelling for the name “Kendall.” It means “valley of the river Kent” in English.

44. Kinoko — This name means “mushroom” in Japanese.

45. Kinsie — English for “king’s victory.”

46. Kinza — This name also means “king’s victory” in English.

47. Kippy — An English name meaning “from the pointed hill.”

48. Kirandeep — This name means “ray of lamplight” in Punjabi.

49. Kisa — A Russian name meaning “cat.”

50. Kjerstin — This Scandinavian name means “a Christian.”

51. Kodee — English for “helpful.”

52. Kodiak — A place name derived from the Alutiiq word qik’rtaq, meaning “island.”

53. Kohar — A Persian name meaning “jewel.”

54. Koi — Japanese for “carp.”

55. Kollins — Irish and Scottish for “people of victory.”

56. Kooper — This is an English occupational name for a barrel maker.

57. Koral — This is the Latin name for “coral.”

58. Koralise — Greek for “maiden.”

59. Korbyn — Latin for “crow.”

60. Korrina — This name means “maiden” in Greek.

61. Kortni — French for “short nose.”

62. Koska — Slavic for “horn” and Czech for “scythe.”

63. Kreine — Yiddish for “crown.”

64. Krymson — English for “deep red.”

65. Krystele — This name means “ice” in Greek.

66. Kubra — Arabic for “great.”

67. Kunti — This name means “spear” in Sanskrit.

68. Kusum — This name means “flower” in Sanskrit.

69. Kyarra — A Latin name meaning “clear” and “bright.”

Once you have a shortlist, say each name aloud with your last name and consider the nicknames you might use. A favorite often becomes clearer after you have lived with it for a few days.

For more ideas, visit our baby names hub or continue with the related name lists below.

• Cute Girl Names
• Beautiful Girl Names
• Badass Girl Names
• Old-Fashioned Baby Names for Girls and Boys
• Unique Girl Names and Their Meanings
• Beautiful Rare Girl Names