Kline

Meaning of Kline

Kline is a name with suitcase stamps from several old-world ports: born of the German-Yiddish surname Klein, meaning “small” or “beloved little one,” yet brushing shoulders with the Greek κλίνη (klínē, “a couch”), the root of “clinic” and “recline.” One can almost picture a Renaissance map-maker jotting it in the margin, promising both modesty and rest. As a given name in the United States, Kline has danced on and off the national charts since 1913, never clamoring for the spotlight but, like a quiet star, maintaining a steady shimmer—its highest twirl came in the 1930s, and in recent years it still whispers onto about half a dozen birth certificates annually. Bearers may think of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Kline or the stylish minimalism of Calvin Klein, lending the name an air of artistic wit and tailored elegance. With its brisk one-syllable snap and its layered history, Kline offers parents a compact gift—parvus nomen, magnum cor: “a small name, a great heart.”

Pronunciation

English

  • Pronunced as klyne (/klaɪn/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

Similar Names to Kline

Notable People Named Kline

Kline Gilbert was an American football player who played offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears from 1953 to 1957.
Sophia Castellano
Curated bySophia Castellano

Assistant Editor