King
Every King since 1880 — 37,890 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of King
King is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #405 in 2025 with 786 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 37,890 American babies have been named King. Its peak came in 2017, when 2,705 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 King stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
King 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 | — | — | 786 | #405 |
| 2024 | — | — | 1,006 | #342 |
| 2023 | — | — | 1,286 | #265 |
| 2022 | — | — | 1,656 | #222 |
| 2021 | 5 | #16,545 | 2,055 | #185 |
| 2020 | — | — | 2,268 | #171 |
| 2019 | 5 | #16,863 | 2,473 | #157 |
| 2018 | 6 | #14,802 | 2,613 | #149 |
| 2017 | 9 | #11,184 | 2,696 | #147 |
| 2016 | 5 | #17,638 | 2,672 | #153 |
| 2015 | — | — | 2,568 | #163 |
| 2014 | — | — | 2,438 | #175 |
| 2013 | — | — | 2,110 | #193 |
| 2012 | — | — | 1,434 | #257 |
| 2011 | — | — | 730 | #389 |
| 2010 | — | — | 706 | #399 |
| 2009 | — | — | 591 | #461 |
| 2008 | — | — | 329 | #711 |
| 2007 | — | — | 321 | #720 |
| 2006 | — | — | 219 | #894 |
| 2005 | — | — | 149 | #1,107 |
| 2004 | — | — | 77 | #1,684 |
| 2003 | — | — | 70 | #1,744 |
| 2002 | — | — | 57 | #1,962 |
| 2001 | — | — | 63 | #1,789 |
| 2000 | — | — | 74 | #1,597 |
| 1995 | — | — | 40 | #2,073 |
| 1990 | — | — | 47 | #1,717 |
| 1985 | — | — | 41 | #1,580 |
| 1980 | — | — | 28 | #1,985 |
| 1975 | — | — | 30 | #1,685 |
| 1970 | — | — | 31 | #1,535 |
| 1965 | — | — | 45 | #1,119 |
| 1960 | — | — | 53 | #1,064 |
| 1955 | — | — | 68 | #902 |
| 1950 | — | — | 90 | #723 |
| 1945 | — | — | 80 | #673 |
| 1940 | — | — | 75 | #700 |
| 1935 | — | — | 67 | #755 |
| 1930 | — | — | 90 | #649 |
| 1925 | — | — | 95 | #658 |
| 1920 | — | — | 108 | #607 |
| 1915 | — | — | 111 | #530 |
| 1910 | — | — | 47 | #378 |
| 1905 | — | — | 24 | #456 |
| 1900 | — | — | 33 | #391 |
| 1895 | — | — | 24 | #395 |
| 1890 | — | — | 21 | #399 |
| 1885 | — | — | 25 | #350 |
| 1880 | — | — | 27 | #331 |
Famous people named King
- King Zhou of Shang Politician · -1105–-1046
- King Elah Politician · -1000–-960
- King Wu of Zhou Politician · -1150–-1043
- King Wen of Zhou Politician · -1112–-1050
- King Zhuangxiang of Qin Politician · -281–-247
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name King in 2025?
King ranked #405 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 786 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named King?
37,890 babies have been named King in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name King most popular?
King peaked in 2017, when 2,705 newborns received the name.
Is King a boy or girl name?
King is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name King rising or falling?
King is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named King?
Well-known people named King include King Zhou of Shang (politician), King Elah (politician), King Wu of Zhou (politician).