Declining since 1997.
Popularity of Kirkland since 1914
Babies named Kirkland per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 20 |
| 1920s | 34 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 88 |
| 1950s | 208 |
| 1960s | 272 |
| 1970s | 196 |
| 1980s | 249 |
| 1990s | 667 |
| 2000s | 252 |
| 2010s | 110 |
| 2020s | 51 |
Meaning & origin
Kirkland is a surname-derived given name with English roots, likely meaning 'church land'. It entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1914, with its peak year in 1997. Since then, its usage has been falling, reflecting a gradual decline in popularity for this traditional-sounding name. Kirkland did not rank among the top 1000 names in recent years, and its one-in-N incidence is not available, indicating its rarity. The name has been used sporadically across the country, with no strong concentration in any particular state. As a masculine name, Kirkland shares stylistic similarities with other surname-names like Cooper and Preston, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a touch of heritage and a modern, approachable sound.
The name Kirkland is likely derived from a Scottish or northern English place name composed of the elements 'kirk' (church) and 'land' (land), meaning 'church land'. It emerged as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, possibly influenced by the surname Kirkland or by place names such as Kirkland in Fife, Scotland. It has seen occasional use in the United States, with a peak in 1997.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kirk
Sibling names for Kirkland
Names that share Kirkland's style, for a brother or sister.
