Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Kipper since 1955
Babies named Kipper per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 38 |
| 1970s | 33 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 12 |
| 2020s | 7 |
Meaning & origin
Kipper is a decidedly uncommon given name in the United States, first appearing in records in 1955. Its rarity is underscored by its rank of 9,714 in 2025, with roughly 1 in 244,011 newborns given the name that year. The name reached its peak popularity in 1976, but even then it was infrequent, and its trajectory has remained stable over the decades. The etymology is uncertain; it may be a transferred use of an English surname referring to a young salmon, or alternatively a diminutive of Christopher or another name. Kipper is almost exclusively used for boys, and its quirky sound may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive, uncommon choice. No top states for the name were recorded, reflecting its scattered, low-frequency usage nationwide.
Kipper is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1955. It may derive from the English surname Kipper, which itself originated as an occupational name for a fisherman or fish-curer, from Middle English kipper, referring to a young salmon. Alternatively, it could be a diminutive or variant of names like Christopher or Skip, or a modern coinage using the trendy -er suffix. The name peaked in popularity in 1976 but has remained very uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kip
Sibling names for Kipper
Names that share Kipper's style, for a brother or sister.
