Holding steady, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Kincaid since 1993
Babies named Kincaid per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2001, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kincaid's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 83 |
| 2000s | 182 |
| 2010s | 114 |
| 2020s | 90 |
Meaning & origin
Kincaid is a Scottish surname turned given name that has appeared on the U.S. baby name charts since 1993. As of 2025, it ranked 4,539, meaning roughly 1 in 77,640 newborns received the name. Its peak year was 2024, reflecting a recent uptick in interest. The name's trajectory has been stable overall, with no dramatic surges. While it is not associated with any top states or famous bearers, Kincaid fits into the broader trend of using surnames as first names, particularly those with a strong Celtic heritage. Its meaning remains uncertain, but theories link it to a place name meaning 'head of the rock' in Gaelic. Kincaid is almost exclusively used for boys, though its crisp sound could appeal across genders. For parents seeking a distinctive, surname-style name with Scottish roots, Kincaid offers an understated alternative to more common choices like Lachlan or Finley.
Kincaid is a modern given name derived from the Scottish surname Kincaid, which itself originates from the lands of Kincaid in Stirlingshire, Scotland. The place name may be of Celtic origin, possibly meaning 'head of the rock' (from Gaelic 'ceann' meaning head and 'cè' or similar for rock). As a first name, Kincaid has seen rare but consistent use in the United States since the early 1990s, reflecting the trend of using surnames as given names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kin, Cade, Kai
Variants: Kinkaid
Sibling names for Kincaid
Names that share Kincaid's style, for a brother or sister.
