King
Meaning of King
Rooted in the Old English cyning, “monarch,” King began as an honorific surname for those who served or resembled the sovereign and only gradually entered the repertoire of given names. Within Anglo-American culture it has come to signal authority, self-confidence, and an aspirational ethos, resonating with iconic bearers such as civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and novelist Stephen King. U.S. vital statistics record a modest but stable presence across the twentieth century, followed by a pronounced rise after 2010 that has carried the name into the national Top 200, indicating a contemporary preference for concise, meaning-rich word-names. Although its single syllable delivers directness, its Germanic cognates—German König, Dutch Koning, Scandinavian Konge—confirm a historical pedigree that links modern usage to a long tradition of leadership titles.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as KING (/kɪŋ/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named King
| King Vidor was an American filmmaker whose 67 year career spanned silent and sound cinema, known for humane social themes and an auteur style that pushed conventions. |
| King Von, born Dayvon Daquan Bennett, was an American rapper from Chicago and a leading drill figure affiliated with the Black Disciples. |
| King Camp Gillette was an American businessman who invented a bestselling safety razor with thin disposable steel blades, though the razor and blades sales model often credited to him was adopted from competitors. |
| King Oliver was an American jazz cornetist and bandleader whose pioneering use of mutes, enduring compositions, and mentorship of Louis Armstrong helped define early jazz. |
| King Sunny Adé - King Sunny Ade is a Nigerian juju singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who was among the first African pop artists to achieve international success and is hailed as one of the most influential musicians. |
