The letter K gives a girl’s name instant edge. It is the sound behind royal classics like Kate and Katherine, chart-climbers like Kehlani and Kinsley, and bold one-offs like Khaleesi, so a single initial can feel timeless or completely modern.
We pulled together 182 girl names that start with K from cultures around the world, spanning Irish, Hawaiian, Arabic, Greek, and Japanese roots.
Each one comes with its origin, meaning, and the story behind it, so you can find a K name that fits your daughter and not just the alphabet.
182 Outstanding Female Names that Start with K
Let’s kick off with adorable girl names that start with K.
- Kace: This quirky girl version of Casey has Gaelic origins and means “alert and watchful.”
- Kacey: This alternative spelling of the Irish name Casey translates to “vigilant.”
- Kadence: This musical name comes from the English word cadence, rooted in the Latin “cadere” (to fall), and evokes rhythm and flow.
- Kadesha: This interesting Arabic feminine name means “trustworthy and respected.”
- Kadijah: Borne by Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad, this Arabic name is read as “early baby” or “trustworthy.”
- Kaia: This rare but cute name comes from Scandinavia and means “pure and life.”
- Kailani: This Hawaiian name joins “kai” (sea) and “lani” (sky). It has climbed into the US top 300, sitting around #253 in 2025.
- Kaitlyn: This alternate spelling of the Irish name Caitlyn carries Greek origins and means “pure.”
- Kalani: This gender-neutral Hawaiian name means “the heavens” and reached about #339 for US girls in 2024.
- Kaleisha: Few women’s names that start with K are Jamaican, making this option special. It means “strong-willed women.”
- Kali: This Sanskrit name honors the fierce Hindu goddess Kali, meaning “time” and “the black one.”
- Kaliana: This lovely option likely stems from the Greek name Callista, meaning “most beautiful.”
- Kalice: This name possibly means “just” from the Latin “iustus,” or it translates to “gift of God.”
- Kalisha: Derived from the Latin Felicia, this name means “fortunate” or “great joy.”
- Kalla: This simple variant of the Greek name Callista means “most beautiful.”
- Kamellia: This nature-inspired Latin name refers to the flowering Camelia plant.
- Kameron: Derived from the Scottish name Cameron, this female form means “crooked nose.”
- Kamila: This alternate spelling of the Latin Camila means “helper of the priest.”
- Kamryn: This modern respelling of the Scottish Cameron gives the “crooked nose” name a softer, feminine look.
- Kandace: This name carries Greek or Egyptian roots and means “glowing.”
- Kandi: This cute English name is a possible derivative of Kandace, meaning “glowing or sweet.”
- Kandy: This nickname for the Latin Kandace means “clarity or whiteness.”
- Kaprice: This “whimsical and playful” girl’s name has American origins.
- Kara: Meaning “beloved or dear,” this Italian girl’s name has a soft, affectionate sound.
- Karalee: This name features Irish, Latin, and Gaelic origins, meaning “beloved or friend.”
- Karin: One of the rare Swedish girls’ names to make the list, Karin means “pure.”
- Karina: This Scandinavian name translates to “pure or chaste.”
- Karla: This feminine German version of Karl means “free man.”
- Karmina: Many beautiful female names that start with K are from Hebrew. This one means “garden or orchard.”
- Karolyna: This variant of the Old German Caroline means “free man.”
- Karter: Derived from the Germanic name Carter, this name means “transporter of goods by cart.”
- Kasia: This name has a likely Polish origin, meaning “pure and soft-spoken.”
- Kassandra: This variant of the Greek Cassandra means “unheeded prophetess and man’s defender.”
- Kassidy: This gender-neutral Gaelic name means “curly-haired or clever.”
- Kassie: Derived from the Greek name Cassandra, this nickname means “unheeded prophetess and man’s defender.”
- Katalina: This derivative of the Greek Catherine translates to “pure.”
- Katar: The first Armenian name to appear on our list means “peak or summit.”
- Kate: A short form of the Greek Catherine meaning “pure,” Kate is carried by royals and stars alike, from Catherine, Princess of Wales, to actress Kate Winslet.
- Katelin: This English and Greek name continues the trend of names meaning “pure.”
- Katey: This alternative spelling of the English name Katie means “pure.”
- Katherine: This English classic of Greek roots means “pure” and still ranked #165 for US girls in 2024, familiar yet never dated.
- Kathleen: This Greek-inspired Irish name means “pure.”
- Kathlynn: This variation of the Irish name Kathleen means “pure.”
- Katie: This English version of the Greek Katherine shares the same meaning of “pure.”
- Katniss: Shared by the Sagittaria water plant and the Hunger Games heroine Katniss Everdeen, this name reads as bold and independent.
- Katrice: This German version of Katrina translates to “pure.”
- Katriona: Derived from the Greek name Katrina, this elegant option means “pure.”
- Kay: This short name features Greek and Irish origins, meaning “rejoice” and “keeper of the keys.”
- Kayla: This Irish and Gaelic name means “slim and fair” and defined a generation, peaking at #36 for US girls in 1991, according to Social Security Administration data (1).
- Kaylee: This name has a Gaelic origin meaning “slender and fair,” pairing Kay with the popular “-lee” ending.
- Kayleigh: This is the more traditional spelling of the name, meaning “slender, slim, and fair.”
- Kaylene: This name carries Gaelic and Hebrew origins, meaning “slender.”
- Kayloni: This name likely has Hawaiian roots, meaning “the sky or heavens” and “royal one.”
- Kaysen: This modern mix of Kay and Jason means “healer or precious.”
- Kayton: This spiritual Native American name translates to “throne of clouds.”
- Kazuma: This classic Japanese name means “peace and harmony.”
- Keana: This name is possibly Irish or Hawaiian, meaning “ancient.”
- Keandra: This name means “son of Henry” in Gaelic and “shining bright” in Greek.
- Keandrea: This rare name derives from the Greek Kandare, meaning “to shine.”
- Kebrina: This unusual name has an unknown origin but translates to “honesty, sacrificer, and admirer.”
- Kechia: According to naming experts, Kechia is an American name meaning “respectable and pioneering.”
- Kedra: This short name likely holds Ugandan roots, meaning “genius.”
- Keeleigh: This alternative spelling of Keighley means “slender and pretty.”
- Keera: Derived from the Irish word “ciar,” this name translates to “dark.”
- Kehlani: Popularized by the R&B singer Kehlani, this Hawaiian name means “the sea and the sky” and ranked #37 for US girls in 2024.
- Keighley: This unique choice has Gaelic and Irish roots, meaning “slender and pretty.”
- Keilani: This gender-neutral name comes from Hawaii and means “the heavens.”
- Keira: This Irish name means “little dark one” and rose worldwide thanks to actress Keira Knightley.
- Kelly: This classic Irish name means “bright-headed.”
- Kellyanne: This vintage Irish and Gaelic name means “lively and aggressive.”
- Kelsa: This short form of the English name Kelsey means “ship’s victory.”
- Kelsey: Derived from the Old English Ceolsige, Kelsey means “ship’s victory” and works as a breezy gender-neutral pick.
- Kemberley: This name features roots in Old English, meaning “Cyneburg’s field.”
- Kena: This wonderfully concise Welsh girl’s name means “greatest champion.”
- Kendall: This Old English name means “the Kent River valley” and climbed the charts alongside model Kendall Jenner.
- Kendra: This English name has a Celtic origin and means “knowing.”
- Kenleigh: This Old English name means “the king’s meadow.”
- Kenna: 5-letter names for girls that start with K are often stylish. Kenna is a great example, meaning beautiful.
- Kennedy: This Irish name means “helmet-headed” and now sits inside the US top 100 for girls, around #85 in 2025.
- Kennetha: This Anglicized version of a Gaelic name means “handsome.”
- Kensley: This Old English name means “king’s meadow” and shares the trendy “-ley” ending with Kinsley and Kinley.
- Kenta: This makes a great Japanese name for “healthy and strong” babies.
- Kenya: This girl’s name of Hebrew origin means “animal horn” and “mountain of whiteness.”
- Kenz: This stylish Arabic name translates simply to “treasure.”
- Kenzie: This cute, sassy, and modern Scottish feminine name means “the fair one.”
- Kerenza: This Cornish name means love.
- Kerrin: This name means “beauty” in Hebrew and “dark” in Irish.
- Kerry: Named after a place in Ireland, Kerry means “black-haired.”
- Kesley: Derived from the Old English name Ceolsige, this name means “ship’s victory.”
- Keslyn: This cool American name means “beautiful and intelligent.”
- Ketara: This popular Arabic name possibly means “from Qatar, blessed, holy, and pure.”
- Ketsia: This variation of Ketsy means “gift of God.”
- Ketsy: This name likely has an African origin, meaning “gift of God and royal/regal.”
- Kevia: This all-Irish name translates to “handsome and beloved.”
- Kevinisha: This modern-day name has an unspecified origin and possibly means “kindness.”
- Kewanda: This name is possibly of Ugandan origin, meaning “the dark one” or “skill, researcher, or mysterious.”
- Kewanna: This African baby girl’s name is read as “beautiful” or “little dark-haired one.”
- Keya: This short and sweet Bengali name translates to “flower.”
- Khala: According to linguistic experts, this Sanskrit name means “richness, newness, and difference.”
- Khaleesi: This invented name for Game of Thrones means “queen or mother of dragons.”
- Khali: This Arabic name means “solitary” and “that which has passed.”
- Khamala: Meaning “lotus or pale red,” this Hindu name represents the goddess of luck and prosperity.
- Khaniya: This African girl’s name means “the pale one.”
- Kharisma: This alternate spelling of Charisma translates to “personal charm.”
- Kharter: This name possibly means “follower of Christ, sincere friend, and honorable comrade” in Arabic.
- Khianna: This makes a perfect Muslim female name meaning “God is gracious” and “dark hair.”
- Khloe: This K spelling of the Greek Chloe means “young green shoot,” an epithet of the harvest goddess Demeter, popularized by Khloe Kardashian.
- Kiania: This pretty Hawaiian nickname translates to “divine.”
- Kiara: Often linked to the Italian Chiara (“bright”) and Irish Ciara (“dark”), Kiara is also an Aboriginal word for a white cockatoo.
- Kiera: This feminine version of the Irish and Gaelic name Kieran means “dark-haired.”
- Kiersti: This alternate spelling of Kirsty means “follower of Christ” in Latin.
- Kiki: This pretty Old French nickname translates to “double happiness.”
- Kila: This Sanskrit gender-neutral name means “flame, fire, and fort.”
- Kileigh: This name holds an Irish origin, meaning “the grey church” or “church of Aedh.”
- Kim: This classic shortened nickname of Kimberley means “Cyneburg’s field.”
- Kimber: This alternate form of Kimberley means “Cyneburg’s field” in Old English.
- Kimberley: This Old English name means “royal fortress meadow” and took off after diamonds were found in Kimberley, South Africa, in 1871.
- Kimela: According to experts, this gentle Arabic name means “butterfly.”
- Kimia: This name features a Persian origin, meaning “elixir.”
- Kimmarie: This English name means “courage, caretaker, and investigator.”
- Kimmy: This casual short form of Kimberley means “Cyneburg’s field” in Old English.
- Kimorah: This Old English baby name means “brave and strong” and “God’s gift.”
- Kindell: This Old English name means “royal valley” or “Kent River valley.”
- Kindness: This virtue name wears its meaning openly, a warm choice in the same family as Grace and Hope.
- Kindred: Female names that start with K can serve as great middle names. Kindred means “family connectedness.”
- Kingsley: This name holds Old English origins and translates to “king’s meadow.”
- Kinley: This name is possibly Irish or Old English, meaning “fair-haired or king’s meadow.”
- Kinnick: This Gaelic and Scottish habitational name represents a family seat in Fife.
- Kinsie: This name features an Old English origin, meaning “king’s victory.”
- Kinsley: This Old English name means “king’s meadow” and now sits inside the US top 100, around #93 in 2024, according to Social Security Administration rankings (2).
- Kinza: This beautiful Arabic word means “hidden treasure.”
- Kira: Derived from the Irish girl’s name Ciara, this name means “black.”
- Kirandeep: This name features a Punjabi origin, meaning “ray of light or hope.”
- Kirby: This name is possibly Old Norse and Scottish meaning “village with a church,” or “dark son” in Irish.
- Kirsty: This name comes from Old Latin, meaning “follower of Christ.”
- Kisa: This name holds an Old Greek and Russian origin, meaning “kitty or pussycat.”
- Kishia: This is likely an alternative spelling of the Japanese name Kishi, meaning “long and happy life.”
- Kjerstin: This name has Scandinavian and Latin roots, meaning “follower of Christ.”
- Kleigh: This unusual name possibly features English origins meaning “clay or clay worker.”
- Kloe: This alternative spelling of the vintage Greek name Chloe means “blooming and fertility.”
- Koda: This classic Japanese name translates to “friend.”
- Kodak: Famous as an invented name for the photographic company, this also means “youth” in Hindustani.
- Kodi: This Americanized version of the Irish name Cody means “descendant of the helpful one.”
- Kohar: This name is possibly of American origin, meaning “gem and jewel.”
- Koi: This short and sweet Japanese name translates to “carp.”
- Kokiri: This descriptive Japanese name translates to “child of trees.”
- Koko: Some girl names with K function as cute nicknames, like Koko, meaning “night” in Native American cultures.
- Kooper: This alternative spelling of an Old English occupational name means “barrel maker.”
- Korabelle: This name combines the Greek name Kora with the French word “belle,” meaning “beautiful maiden.”
- Koralise: This gorgeous name features Greek origins, meaning “maiden.”
- Korall: This bright derivative of the Latin Coral means “destiny.”
- Korbyn: This name stems from Old English descent, possibly meaning “crow or raven-haired.”
- Kordelia: This alternative spelling of the Latin name Cordelia translates to “heart.”
- Kordella: This different version of Cordelia also means “heart” in Latin.
- Korinne: Many K names for girls derive from Greek. This lovely option means “maiden.”
- Kornelia: This rare Latin female name translates to “horn.”
- Korrina: This alternative spelling of the Greek name Korina means “maiden.”
- Kortlyn: This name carries English origins, possibly meaning “fortune, health, and spirituality.”
- Koryn: Derived from the Greek name Korina, this name translates to “maiden.”
- Koska: This name is a diminutive of the Polish word “kosa,” meaning “scythe.”
- Kourtlynn: According to linguistic experts, Kourtlynn is an American name meaning “sister.”
- Kourtney: This K spelling of Courtney comes from a French place name and is famously borne by Kourtney Kardashian.
- Kree: This Native American and Canadian name means light.
- Krissi: This cute Latin nickname translates to “follower of Christ.”
- Kristal: This alternative spelling of the Greek word “crystal” means “ice.”
- Kristalee: This variant of the Greek word “crystal” translates to “ice.”
- Kristin: This timeless name features Latin origins, meaning “follower of Christ.”
- Kristinamarie: This Latin and Hebrew name means “Christ-bearer, anointed, disciple of Christ, and beloved.”
- Kristyna: This alternative spelling of Christina means “follower of Christ” in Latin.
- Krymson: This unusual alternative spelling of the color crimson derives from an Amharic word meaning “I am.”
- Krystabelle: Featuring Greek and French influences, this name likely means “beautiful crystal or ice.”
- Krystalanne: This uncommon English name translates to “follower of Christ, precious stone, or crystal.”
- Krystie: This name is possibly Czech or Latin, meaning “follower of Christ.”
- Kunani: This unique Hawaiian girl’s name means “beautiful or beautiful one.”
- Kyarra: This uncommon Celtic and Latin name translates to “bright and clear” or “kind and loyal.”
- Kyla: This gender-neutral Irish name means “narrow or crown of laurel.”
- Kyleah: This name is possibly of Scottish origin, meaning “narrow strip of land” or “strong girl.”
- Kylee: This streamlined spelling of Kylie carries the same Aboriginal sense of “boomerang.”
- Kylie: From the Noongar Aboriginal word for a boomerang, Kylie gained fame through singer Kylie Minogue and mogul Kylie Jenner.
- Kymora: This name features an English origin, meaning “a gift of God or found treasure.”
- Kyndle: A modern respelling of Kendall, Kyndle has a fresh, invented feel with no fixed traditional meaning.
- Kynlee: This name is possibly of English, Irish, or American origin, meaning “white warrior or King’s meadow.”