Kinsey

Meaning of Kinsey

Kinsey, pronounced KIN-zee (/ˈkɪnzi/), ultimately descends from the Old English personal name Cynesige, a compound of “cyne” (royal) and “sige” (victory), which later survived as a medieval surname before re-emerging in the United States during the late twentieth century as a feminine given name. While the surname is indelibly linked in academic circles to the biologist Alfred Kinsey, its adoption for girls has been driven less by that scholarly association than by contemporary American preferences for brisk, two-syllable names ending in -sey, a pattern evident in choices such as Kelsey and Paisley. Quantitatively, Kinsey has maintained a discreet yet steady presence on the Social Security Administration’s annual lists since 1968, hovering between rank 600 and 900 and peaking in 2013 at No. 706; this statistical profile positions it as recognizable but far from ubiquitous, offering parents a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness. In usage, Kinsey conveys a blend of Anglo-Saxon heritage and modern flair, rendering it suitable for families who value historical depth without sacrificing contemporary sound.