Kip - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Kip

Kip is a quick-draw, one-syllable name that first popped up in medieval England as a jaunty pet form of Christopher and, later, of the literary surname Kipling; its Old English root is tied to the word “cypp,” meaning a pointed hill or summit—perfect for parents who picture their little guy aiming high. Over the years the name has picked up a grab-bag of friendly associations: in Britain a “kip” is a cozy nap, so the name carries a built-in cuddle factor, while in pop culture you’ll find everything from Nobel-prize physicist Kip Thorne to country crooner Kip Moore and rock-star Kip Winger, proof that a Kip can crunch numbers, strum guitars, or belt out power chords with equal flair. After peaking in the free-wheeling 1960s, Kip slipped into the background only to creep back up the charts in the 2020s, riding today’s wave of punchy, retro nicknames-turned-stand-alones. Short, spirited, and impossible to miss, Kip feels like a friendly tap on the shoulder—a name that says, “Let’s go explore,” and then actually means it.