Kiel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#11,400

among boys · ↑330 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Kiel

How common

1 in 284,679

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1983

287 babies

All-time total

2,535

#2,867 all-time among boys

First recorded

1961

in Social Security records

Kiel popularity over time

2,535 babies have been named Kiel since 1961, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	27	27	3	–	#2,699
1970s	–	91	91	9	+237%	#2,632
1980s	25	1,504	1,529	153	+1580%	#503
1990s	5	509	514	51	-66%	#1,300
2000s	–	214	214	21	-58%	#2,507
2010s	–	107	107	11	-50%	#5,083
2020s (to 2025)	–	53	53	9	-17%	#6,366

The story of Kiel

Kiel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,400 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1961, 2,535 American babies have been named Kiel. Its peak came in 1983, when 287 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1980s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kiel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Kiel?

The median living Kiel is about 39 years old; half are between 31 and 42. An estimated 2,400 people named Kiel are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Kiel year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	6	#11,400
2024	–	–	6	#11,730
2023	–	–	14	#6,366
2022	–	–	8	#9,461
2021	–	–	7	#10,314
2020	–	–	12	#6,847
2019	–	–	11	#7,425
2018	–	–	11	#7,402
2017	–	–	15	#5,949
2016	–	–	9	#8,517
2015	–	–	6	#11,476
2014	–	–	11	#7,323
2013	–	–	18	#5,083
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	–	–	10	#7,821
2010	–	–	16	#5,622
2009	–	–	7	#10,504
2008	–	–	20	#4,827
2007	–	–	17	#5,331
2006	–	–	22	#4,308
2005	–	–	20	#4,400
2004	–	–	23	#3,949
2003	–	–	24	#3,684
2002	–	–	21	#3,984
2001	–	–	22	#3,792
2000	–	–	38	#2,507
1995	–	–	51	#1,749
1990	–	–	73	#1,300
1985	5	#11,535	221	#591
1980	–	–	9	#4,340
1975	–	–	13	#3,005
1970	–	–	9	#3,410
1965	–	–	10	#2,699
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Kiel, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Kiel?

The median living Kiel is about 39 years old. Half of all living Kiels are between 31 and 42 years old.

How many people named Kiel are alive today?

An estimated 2,400 people named Kiel are alive in the United States, based on 2,535 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Kiel mean?

Kiel is a surname or given name.

How popular is the name Kiel in 2025?

Kiel ranked #11,400 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kiel?

2,535 babies have been named Kiel in the United States since 1961, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kiel most popular?

Kiel peaked in 1983, when 287 newborns received the name.

Is Kiel a boy or girl name?

Kiel is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kiel rising or falling?

Kiel is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Kiel

Names that sound and feel close to Kiel: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Kiel with similar names → More names starting with K →