Given name & surname
Kipling
“from the small pointed hill”
Kipling is a variant of Kipp. One English interpretation is “from the small pointed hill.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Kipling is a variant of Kipp. One English interpretation is “from the small pointed hill.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Kipling is a variant of Kipp. An origin associated with Kipp is English.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1952. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Kipling through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 398
- 398 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2016
- 16 babies
- 2025
- 9
- #8,617 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −36%
- Cooling
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 9 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 8,617 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 35.9% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 442 as a first name in 2020; 316 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Kipling’s family of names
In English usage, Kipling has a diminutive in Kip. Kipling has a related form in Kipp. In English usage, Kipling has a short form in Kip.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Kipling, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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“the royal ruler”
>99% boys
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“a warrior woman; of the church” · “one who is small and fierce”
98% boys · 2% girls
Kyrie
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93% boys · 7% girls
Kyler
“an archer”
94% boys · 6% girls
Kylo
Kylo is a masculine given name.
98% boys · 2% girls
Kaiden
“a beloved companion”
99% boys · 1% girls
Kingston
“from the king's town”
>99% boys
Iker
“a visitor”
>99% boys