Kipling: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	53	5	–	#2,327
1960s	96	10	+81%	#2,129
1970s	59	6	-39%	#2,803
1980s	18	2	-69%	#5,904
1990s	18	2	0%	#6,720
2000s	16	2	-11%	#11,433
2010s	86	9	+438%	#5,679
2020s (to 2025)	52	9	+1%	#7,284

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

#2,327

1960s

+81%

#2,129

1970s

-39%

#2,803

1980s

-69%

#5,904

1990s

#6,720

2000s

-11%

#11,433

2010s

+438%

#5,679

2020s (to 2025)

+1%

#7,284

The story of Kipling

Kipling is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,617 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1952, 398 American babies have been named Kipling. Its peak came in 2016, when 16 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 Kipling stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Kipling?

The median living Kipling is about 43 years old; half are between 9 and 60. An estimated 400 people named Kipling 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.

Kipling year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	9	#8,617
2024	6	#11,736
2023	6	#11,622
2022	11	#7,527
2021	9	#8,550
2020	11	#7,284
2019	9	#8,578
2018	12	#6,950
2017	16	#5,679
2016	16	#5,679
2015	5	#13,157
2014	10	#7,882
2013	–	–
2012	10	#7,881
2011	8	#9,227
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	5	#13,499
2006	6	#11,433
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	5	#11,693
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	8	#6,720
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	7	#4,573
1970	12	#2,803
1965	15	#2,129
1960	6	#3,866
1955	6	#3,703
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Kipling?

The median living Kipling is about 43 years old. Half of all living Kiplings are between 9 and 60 years old.

How many people named Kipling are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Kipling are alive in the United States, based on 398 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Kipling in 2025?

Kipling ranked #8,617 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kipling?

398 babies have been named Kipling in the United States since 1952, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kipling most popular?

Kipling peaked in 2016, when 16 newborns received the name.

Is Kipling a boy or girl name?

Kipling is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kipling rising or falling?

Kipling is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Kipling

Kipling popularity over time

The story of Kipling

How old are people named Kipling?

Kipling year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Kipling