Kirk
From kirk, from Northern Middle English kirke, borrowed from Old Norse kirkja, borrowed from Old English ċiriċe, from Proto-West Germanic *kirikā, borrowed from Koine…
Every Kirk since 1880 — 68,264 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kirk
Kirk is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,551 in 2025 with 52 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 68,264 American babies have been named Kirk. Its peak came in 1962, when 2,560 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
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 Kirk stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kirk 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 | — | — | 52 | #2,551 |
| 2024 | — | — | 52 | #2,584 |
| 2023 | — | — | 52 | #2,566 |
| 2022 | — | — | 55 | #2,506 |
| 2021 | — | — | 67 | #2,147 |
| 2020 | — | — | 67 | #2,104 |
| 2019 | — | — | 76 | #1,946 |
| 2018 | — | — | 70 | #2,060 |
| 2017 | — | — | 95 | #1,673 |
| 2016 | — | — | 80 | #1,870 |
| 2015 | — | — | 92 | #1,698 |
| 2014 | — | — | 104 | #1,543 |
| 2013 | — | — | 112 | #1,472 |
| 2012 | — | — | 97 | #1,610 |
| 2011 | — | — | 96 | #1,606 |
| 2010 | — | — | 102 | #1,562 |
| 2009 | — | — | 111 | #1,506 |
| 2008 | — | — | 95 | #1,635 |
| 2007 | — | — | 124 | #1,356 |
| 2006 | — | — | 121 | #1,347 |
| 2005 | — | — | 141 | #1,147 |
| 2004 | — | — | 140 | #1,131 |
| 2003 | — | — | 158 | #1,003 |
| 2002 | — | — | 161 | #980 |
| 2001 | — | — | 178 | #887 |
| 2000 | — | — | 189 | #848 |
| 1995 | — | — | 316 | #576 |
| 1990 | — | — | 698 | #347 |
| 1985 | — | — | 681 | #300 |
| 1980 | 8 | #7,759 | 789 | #272 |
| 1975 | — | — | 1,001 | #214 |
| 1970 | 13 | #4,367 | 1,919 | #158 |
| 1965 | 6 | #6,153 | 2,057 | #152 |
| 1960 | 12 | #3,808 | 2,447 | #142 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,518 | 1,628 | #172 |
| 1950 | — | — | 1,030 | #199 |
| 1945 | — | — | 209 | #416 |
| 1940 | — | — | 131 | #506 |
| 1935 | — | — | 61 | #794 |
| 1930 | — | — | 45 | #1,032 |
| 1925 | — | — | 42 | #1,084 |
| 1920 | — | — | 36 | #1,215 |
| 1915 | — | — | 41 | #988 |
| 1910 | — | — | 13 | #904 |
| 1905 | — | — | 10 | #819 |
| 1900 | — | — | 5 | #1,414 |
| 1895 | — | — | 5 | #1,172 |
| 1890 | — | — | 5 | #1,085 |
| 1885 | — | — | 9 | #675 |
| 1880 | — | — | 6 | #875 |
Famous people named Kirk
- Kirk Douglas Actor · 1916–2020
- Kirk Kerkorian Businessperson · 1917–2015
- Kirk Alyn Actor · 1910–1999
- Kirk Cameron Actor · b. 1970
- Kirk Acevedo Actor · b. 1971
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kirk mean?
From kirk, from Northern Middle English kirke, borrowed from Old Norse kirkja, borrowed from Old English ċiriċe, from Proto-West Germanic *kirikā, borrowed from Koine Greek κῡρῐᾰκόν (kūrĭăkón), a nominalization of κῡριακός…
How popular is the name Kirk in 2025?
Kirk ranked #2,551 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 52 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kirk?
68,264 babies have been named Kirk in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kirk most popular?
Kirk peaked in 1962, when 2,560 newborns received the name.
Is Kirk a boy or girl name?
Kirk is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kirk rising or falling?
Kirk is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kirk?
Well-known people named Kirk include Kirk Douglas (actor), Kirk Kerkorian (businessperson), Kirk Alyn (actor).