UK boy's name
Kieffer
A masculine German name derived from the surname meaning "from Käfer" (beetle).
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1998. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kieffer is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kieffer popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1998 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2901, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1997 to 1998. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Kieffer. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1999 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kieffer ranked #2901 for boys in England and Wales in 1998, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 boys were registered as Kieffer.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kieffer as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2901
1998
Births in 1998
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Kieffer mean?
The name Kieffer has its roots in the Germanic languages and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to have originated from the Old German word "kuofer," which means "cooper" or "barrel maker." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely involved in the craft of barrel making or cooperage.
In the early medieval period, the name Kieffer was primarily found in regions of present-day Germany and the surrounding areas. Its popularity spread as trade and migration patterns expanded across Europe. Over time, various spellings and variations of the name emerged, such as Küfer, Kufer, and Kefer.
While there are no known references to the name Kieffer in ancient texts or religious scriptures, historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries indicate the presence of individuals bearing this name in various parts of Europe. One of the earliest recorded instances is Ulrich Kieffer, a cooper mentioned in a document from the city of Nuremberg, Germany, dated around 1290.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kieffer. One of the most prominent was Johann Kieffer (1616-1690), a German Baroque composer and organist who served as the Kapellmeister (chapel master) at the court of the Prince-Bishop of Bamberg. Another individual of note was Friedrich Kieffer (1804-1858), a German entomologist and naturalist known for his contributions to the study of insects and plants.
In the realm of literature, August Kieffer (1856-1919) was a German poet and author who wrote numerous works in the Alemannic dialect. His poetry celebrated the beauty of the Black Forest region and the lives of its people. Additionally, René Kieffer (1885-1963) was a French aviator and engineer who played a significant role in the development of early aircraft designs.
Another historical figure worth mentioning is Albert Kieffer (1889-1962), a French architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Palais de la Découverte (Palace of Discovery) and the Palais de Chaillot. His works exemplified the Art Deco and Modernist styles of the early 20th century.
These are just a few examples of individuals who bore the name Kieffer throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human endeavor.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kieffer over time
The chart below shows babies named Kieffer registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 1998. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kieffer, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 1998, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kieffer by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kieffer was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #2880 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Kieffer
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kieffer: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kieffer in the UK right now?
In 1998, Kieffer was ranked #2901 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kieffer most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Kieffer in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kieffer?
A masculine German name derived from the surname meaning "from Käfer" (beetle).
How many people are called Kieffer in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Kieffer across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.