Declining since 2017, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Kipling since 1952
Babies named Kipling per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 53 |
| 1960s | 96 |
| 1970s | 59 |
| 1980s | 18 |
| 1990s | 18 |
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 86 |
| 2020s | 52 |
Meaning & origin
Kipling is a rare English given name, first recorded in U.S. data in 1952. Its popularity peaked in 2017, and since then its trajectory has been falling. The name is almost exclusively associated with the author Rudyard Kipling, whose literary fame has given it a scholarly, adventurous connotation. Despite its low frequency (ranked 8,243rd in 2025, or 1 in 189,786 boys), it appeals to parents seeking a distinctive literary surname name. It has not been recorded among top states, suggesting its use is scattered across the country. Kipling's nickname, Kip, keeps it approachable, while its rarity ensures a unique choice.
Kipling originates as an English surname, most famously borne by author Rudyard Kipling. The surname itself is either habitational from Kiplin in Yorkshire, derived from the Old English personal name 'Cippa' plus 'ing' (people of), or locative from a place meaning 'the land of the family of Cippa'. It began occasional use as a given name in the mid-20th century, possibly inspired by the writer.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kip
Sibling names for Kipling
Names that share Kipling's style, for a brother or sister.
