Declining since 1985, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Kiel since 1961
Babies named Kiel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 27 |
| 1970s | 91 |
| 1980s | 1,504 |
| 1990s | 509 |
| 2000s | 214 |
| 2010s | 107 |
| 2020s | 53 |
Meaning & origin
Kiel is a modern given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1961. It reached its peak popularity in 1983, ranking among the top 10,000 names at that time. Despite a slow and steady decline in usage since around 1985, the name has maintained a small but consistent presence. As of 2025, it ranks 10,695th overall, with a current incidence of roughly 1 in 284,679 births. The name has not been associated with any particular state concentration, and its bearers have been few. Its etymology is uncertain, but it is likely a variant of Kyle, which originates from a Gaelic word for 'narrow' or 'strait', or possibly a borrowing of the German city name. Kiel remains a unique and uncommon choice for parents seeking a simple, one-syllable name.
Kiel is a modern given name, likely a variant of Kyle, which itself derives from the Gaelic word 'caol' meaning 'narrow' or 'strait', or possibly from the surname Kyle. Alternatively, it may be influenced by the German city of Kiel. The name has been in occasional use in the United States since the early 1960s.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Kiele, Keel
Sibling names for Kiel
Names that share Kiel's style, for a brother or sister.
