Top 40 Girl Names That Start With K and Their Meanings

Girl names that start with K are stylish, strong, and more popular than ever. K names have a long history of popularity. In the ’80s and ’90s, names like Katie, Katherine, Kathleen, and Kimberly were everywhere.

Today, timeless choices like Katherine remain well known, while newer favorites such as Kaia and Kiera are quickly rising. At the same time, unique and creative names like Kehlani, Khaleesi, Kassiani, Kalinda, Keziah, and Kitty are catching parents’ attention. Pop culture has also helped bring K names back into the spotlight, especially with famous families like the Kardashians.

Whether you love classic beauty, modern trends, or bold and unique choices, K names offer something for every style. This guide to top girl names that start with K explores their meanings, origins, and stories to help you find the perfect name for your baby girl.

Popular Girl Names That Start with K

Katherine

Katherine is a classic Greek name derived from Aikaterine and linked to the word katharos, meaning “pure.” It remains popular today, ranking 1,159th worldwide and 162nd for baby girls in the United States in 2023.

Kiara

Kiara comes from the Irish word ciar, meaning “black.” In Korean, it means “cockatoo” or “the first ray of sun.” It’s ranked 332nd for baby girls in the United States in 2021.

Kelly

Kelly is a Gaelic name from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, meaning “descendant of Ceallach” and interpreted as “bright-headed.” It remains widely used, ranking 545th worldwide and 706th for baby girls in the United States in 2023.

Kylie

Kylie is a Scottish name meaning “narrow channel” and is also linked to the Irish surname O’Kiely, meaning “descendant of the graceful one.” It peaked at #43 in the U.S. in 1991 and ranked 90th in 2014 in Australia.

Kendall

Kendall is an Old English name meaning “royal valley.” It is ranked 251st for baby girls in the United States in 2023.

Kimberly

Kimberly is an Old English name meaning “from the royal fortress meadow.” Once a top U.S. name in the 1960s, it now ranks 915th worldwide and 384th for baby girls in the United States in 2023.

Klara

Klara is a Slavic form of Clara, meaning “clear” or “famous,” inspired by Saint Clare of Assisi. It is ranked 367th for girls in the U.S. in 2022.

Kennedy

Kennedy is an Irish name from Cinnéidigh, meaning “chief of the clan.” It is ranked 70th for girls in the U.S. in 2021.

Kerry

Kerry is an Irish name meaning “dark princess” and also means “dear” in Latin and Spanish. It is mainly used in the U.S. and placed 35th in New Zealand in 2014.

Khloe

Khloe is a Greek name meaning “green shoot” and is popularized by Khloe Kardashian. It is ranked 176th for girls in the U.S. in 2021.

Cute Girl Names That Start with K

Kitty

Kitty is a playful nickname for Katherine, which means “pure.” It is admired for its sweet, witty, and feminine charm.

Klaudia

Klaudia is a Latin name meaning “of the noble Claudii family” or, historically, “crippled.” Its soft sound and elegant history make it a charming choice for a girl.

Kira

Kira is a strong name meaning “dark-haired” in Irish and “strong woman” in Slavic. It also comes from the Greek kyrios, meaning “lord.”

Kyla

Kyla comes from the Old Norse word sky and means “cloud. Its gentle sound gives it a timeless charm for girls.

Kacey

Kacey comes from the Gaelic Ó’Cathasaigh, meaning “descendant of Cathasach” or “watchful.” Its short, friendly sound makes it a top pick for girls.

Kenzie

Kenzie is a Gaelic name meaning “child of the wise leader,” “born of fire,” or “bright.” Its lively sound makes it adorable to girls.

Kahlia

Kahlia is a Hawaiian name, Kaliʻa, meaning “the desire.” Its melodic sound gives it a sweet appeal.

Kelsey

Kelsey is an English name meaning “from the ship’s island,” “music,” or “spring/fountain,” with roots in Old English, Celtic, and Old Norse.

Kamilia

Kamilia is a Latin name meaning “helper to the priest,” originally linked to the Roman family name Camillus. Its elegant sound gives it a graceful appeal.

Kiana

Kiana means “God is gracious” in Irish and “divine” in Hawaiian, with roots also in ancient Persian. Its flowing sound makes it sweet for girls.

International and Culturally Rich Girl Names That Start with K

Karina

Karina means “pretty” and comes from the Latin carus, “sweet” or “dear,” and it is used as a nickname for names like Katarina and Katherine. It is most popular in Russia and ranked 345th for girls in the U.S. in 2023.

Keiko

Keiko is a Japanese name meaning “happy child,” “blessed child,” or “child who respects others.” It carries a warm, positive meaning associated with joy, kindness, and good character.

Krishna

Krishna is a Sanskrit name meaning “dark” or “black” and is the name of a major Hindu deity, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It represents divine love, wisdom, compassion, and spiritual devotion.

Kenza

Kenza is an Arabic name meaning “treasure” or “precious.” It reflects beauty, value, and uniqueness.

Khadija

Khadijah is an Arabic name meaning “early baby,” “trustworthy,” and “respect.” It is famous as it is the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife, Khadija bint Khuwaylid.

Khadra

Khadra is an Arabic name meaning “green” or “greenery,” symbolizing nature, growth, and renewal. It signifies freshness, vitality, and prosperity.

Kumiko

Kumiko is a Japanese name meaning “eternal child” or “child of eternity.” The name symbolizes lasting youth, innocence, and a timeless spirit.

Kiran

Kiran is a Sanskrit name that translates to “ray of light” or “beam of sunlight.” It embodies brightness, positivity, and a radiant spirit.

Kirsten

Kirsten is a Scandinavian name from Christina, meaning “follower of Christ” or “anointed one.” It conveys faith, devotion, and Christian tradition.

Koemi

Koemi is a Japanese name meaning “beautiful child” or “blessed child.” The name denotes grace, beauty, and good fortune.

Unique and Uncommon Girl Names That Start with K

Kallistrat

Kallistrat is a Greek name that comes from kallos (beauty) and stratos (army), which means “beautiful army.” It is extremely rare worldwide, but mostly used in Greece, with just 65 recorded occurrences in 2014.

Kadisha

Kadisha is a Hebrew name derived from kadosh, meaning “holy” or “sacred.” It has religious significance, which is linked to the Kadisha Valley in Lebanon. It is very uncommon worldwide, ranking 1,831st in Kazakhstan in 2014.

Kaelyn

Kaelyn is an American name that originated from the combination of Kay (rejoicer) and Lynn (waterfall). It is also associated with the Irish Cailín, meaning “pure.” It is very rare, ranking 1,250th for girls in the U.S. in 2021.

Kai

Kai is a multicultural name with Hawaiian, Scandinavian, German, Persian, Japanese, and Frisian roots, meaning “sea” or “ocean,” “king,” “shell,” “warrior,” or “rejoice.” It is rare, ranking 768th in the U.S. in 2021.

Keisha

Keisha has African and Hebrew roots, which are derived from the Swahili word keisha, meaning “favorite” or “precious.” Also, it comes from the Hebrew word Keziah, which is inspired by the Cassia tree. It is rare worldwide, where it ranked 1,397th for girls in 2022 in the U.S.

Kaur

Kaur has Indian and Estonian origins, meaning “lioness” and “spiritual princess.” It is mostly used in India as a Sikh surname and is rare worldwide, ranking 569th in Estonia in 2014.

Katniss

Katniss is a rare name derived from the edible aquatic plant “katniss arrowhead” (sagittaria). The name is mostly used in the U.S. and Brazil, which is known for its association with strength, resilience, and skill through the fictional antagonist character Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. Katniss has only 57 recorded occurrences worldwide in 2014.

Katarina

Katarina is a Greek name derived from Katherine, meaning “pure” or “unsullied.” It is used in Eastern Europe and beyond, primarily in Indonesia, and ranked 601st for girls in the U.S. in 2023.

Kelilah

Kelilah is a Hebrew name meaning “crown” or “laurel wreath” and also “victorious.” It is extremely rare, with only 17 recorded occurrences worldwide in 2014, primarily in the U.S. The name signifies honor, achievement, and distinction.

Kori

Kori is a Greek name meaning “maiden” or “young girl,” and in Kikuyu culture, it can also mean “to lamb. Based on Corey, it can mean “hollow.” It is rare worldwide, mostly used in Pakistan, and ranked 673rd for girls in the U.S. in 2021. The name portrays youthfulness, innocence, and purity.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Girl Names That Start with K

Girl names that start with K are popular because they are stylish, versatile, and full of meaning. There are diverse options: from classics like Katherine to modern picks like Keisha. These tips will help you find a name that sounds right, feels meaningful, and suits your baby girl perfectly.

• Consider the meaning. Look for names that reflect qualities or values you want your child to embody, like “pure,” “bright,” or “strong.”
• Explore K names from different cultures and languages for a unique or meaningful choice.
• Check the name’s popularity and rarity. Decide if you want a common name or something unique and distinctive.
• Choose a name that is easy to pronounce and spell to avoid confusion.
• Consider if the name has cute or versatile nicknames for everyday use.
• Say the full name out loud to see how the first and last names flow together.
• Pick a name that resonates with you or has personal, family, or cultural significance.
• For future purposes, ensure the name fits both a child and an adult, so it grows with them.