Declining since 1991, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Kiefer since 1988
Babies named Kiefer per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 128 |
| 1990s | 969 |
| 2000s | 559 |
| 2010s | 256 |
| 2020s | 38 |
Meaning & origin
Kiefer is a rare given name that first entered U.S. birth records in 1988. It reached its peak usage in 1991 but has since been on a falling trajectory. By 2025, it ranked 10,695 with a 1-in-284,679 incidence. The name is likely a modern adoption of a German surname meaning 'pine tree' or an anglicized form of the Irish Caoimhín. Despite its rarity, it remains in consistent, if sparse, use.
Kiefer is likely a modern given name derived from the German surname Kiefer, which means 'pine tree' (from Middle High German kienforhe). It may also be an anglicized form of the Irish name Caoimhín (Kevin). The name gained visibility in English-speaking countries through actor Kiefer Sutherland, though it remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kief
Sibling names for Kiefer
Names that share Kiefer's style, for a brother or sister.
