Declining since 2021, #2,421 for boys today.
Popularity of Knight since 1923
Babies named Knight per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 70 |
| 2010s | 477 |
| 2020s | 366 |
Meaning & origin
Knight first entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1923, but it remained a rare choice for decades. In 2022, it reached its peak rank of 2421, with a 1-in-30501 birth rate. Since 2021, however, its trajectory has been falling. The name is most popular in Michigan, Florida, and California. As an occupational surname turned given name, Knight fits a modern trend of choosing strong, single-syllable word names with heroic connotations. Its use reflects a preference for names that evoke nobility and valor, yet it remains unusual enough to stand out.
Knight is derived from the Old English word 'cniht', meaning 'boy', 'servant', or 'retainer', which later evolved to denote a mounted warrior or a man of noble rank. As a given name, it emerged from the English surname Knight, originally an occupational name for a knight or a servant. Its use as a first name is a modern phenomenon, gaining traction in the late 20th century alongside other virtue and occupation names.
Where Knight is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Knight
Names that share Knight's style, for a brother or sister.
