Popular Girl Names That Start With K Throughout History

Girl names that start with K blend royal history and modern style. From queens and saints to today’s U.S. favorites, explore meaningful options with origins and helpful links below.

Ancient Origins (Biblical, Greek, Roman)

• Katherine – From Greek Aikaterinē, often linked to “pure”
• Katerina – Greek form of Katherine
• Kalliope – Greek muse of epic poetry, “beautiful voice”
• Kassandra – Greek myth prophetess
• Kleopatra – Greek form of Cleopatra, “glory of the father”
• Kallista – Greek, “most beautiful”
• Kyria – Greek title, “lady”
• Kyriake – Greek, “of the Lord’s day”
• Kore – Greek, “maiden,” another name for Persephone
• Kyra – From Kyra/Kyria, “lady”
• Kyriafa – Greek root name, rare
• Ksenia – Greek xenia, “hospitality”
• Kasiani – Greek saint Kassiani, poet and hymnographer
• Kalida – Greek root, “beautiful”
• Keziah – Biblical, “cassia spice”
• Keren – Biblical element in Keren Happuch, “horn of kohl”
• Keturah – Biblical, “incense”
• Kyriaitha – Greek derived form
• Kallirrhoe – Greek, “beautiful flow”
• Korinna – Ancient Greek poet’s name

Medieval and Renaissance

• Kate – Short form of Katherine
• Kaethe – German diminutive of Katharina
• Katharina – German and Central European form
• Caterina – Italian form
• Catalina – Spanish form
• Kathryn – Medieval English variant
• Kateryna – Ukrainian form
• Kasilda – Medieval Iberian name
• Konstance – Medieval spelling of Constance
• Kunigunde – German royal saint
• Klara – Central European form of Clara
• Kristina – Scandinavian and Slavic form
• Kirstin – Medieval Norse form of Christina
• Katarzyna – Polish Katherine
• Klementina – Medieval virtue name, “merciful”
• Karmela – Romance language form of Carmel
• Karolina – Slavic and Polish Caroline
• Katinka – Hungarian diminutive
• Kaisa – Finnish form of Katherine
• Kornelia – Latin Cornelia in Slavic use

Victorian and Early Modern (1800s to early 1900s)

• Katherine – Enduring English classic
• Kate – Simple and strong
• Kathleen – Irish form of Katherine
• Kitty – Vintage nickname
• Kay – Mid century favorite
• Keziah – Biblical revival
• Keturah – Old Testament revival
• Karoline – Continental variant
• Kristine – Scandinavian spelling
• Karina – Late Victorian usage
• Klara – European classic
• Kenna – Scottish diminutive related to Kenneth
• Kerensa – Cornish, “love”
• Keturah-May – Period compound
• Kimberley – From English place name
• Korrine – Variant of Corinne
• Koral – Coral inspired spelling
• Kelilah – Hebrew influenced, “crown”
• Kallista – Classical revival
• Kittie – Period spelling of Kitty

Modern Favorites (20th to 21st Century, U.S. focus)

• Katherine – Timeless, many nicknames
• Kaitlyn – Modern Irish American favorite
• Kayla – Modern Hebrew influenced, popular 1990s
• Kylie – Modern pop culture boost
• Khloe – Modern spelling of Chloe
• Keira – Irish origin, “little dark one”
• Kennedy – Surname style
• Kaia – From Kai, “sea” in Hawaiian or “earth” in Greek roots
• Kiara – Multicultural, “bright” or “first ray of sun”
• Kira – Russian and Persian roots
• Kinsley – Surname trend
• Kendall – Unisex surname favorite
• Karter – Unisex spelling trend
• Kassidy – Modern Irish style
• Kara – Scandinavian and Latin roots
• Kiana – Hawaiian form of Diana
• Kaylee – Popular blended form
• Kamila – Spanish and Slavic form of Camilla
• Kimber – Surname to first name
• Kamryn – Creative Cameron variant

Helpful Resources

Use these sources to check meanings and U.S. popularity, and browse more parenting topics:

• U.S. Social Security Administration baby name rankings
• Behind the Name: Katherine
• Britannica: Catherine of Aragon
• How to choose the perfect baby name
• See the Babysense Prisma non WiFi monitor
• Compare video baby monitors

FAQs

From Kassandra and Keturah to Katherine and Kylie, K names offer timeless depth and modern style. Use the links above to confirm meanings and U.S. popularity as you build your short list.